8-9-2024 (BANGKOK) The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) of Thailand has issued a critical warning to eleven provinces in the Central region, alerting residents to an imminent increase in water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam. This preemptive measure comes as authorities brace for the potential impact of super typhoon Yagi on the country’s water systems.
Acting RID Director Det Lekwichai announced on Saturday that the affected provinces include Bangkok, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan. The decision to boost the dam’s discharge rate stems from forecasts predicting heavier rainfall over the next week.
“We’re increasing the Chao Phraya Dam’s discharge rate from 300 cubic metres per second to between 1,500 and 1,700 cubic metres per second,” Lekwichai explained. “This significant increase is necessary to manage the anticipated deluge.”
As a consequence of this action, water levels along the Chao Phraya River are expected to rise by 20 to 50 centimetres in low-lying areas. Communities near the Phong Phaeng Canal in Ang Thong province and the Phak Hai and Sena districts of Ayutthaya province are likely to be particularly affected.
The RID projects that by Thursday, at least 1,600 cubic metres of water per second will pass through the water station in Nakhon Sawan’s Muang district. While the department is authorised to discharge up to 2,000 cubic metres per second, Lekwichai assured that any increases would be implemented gradually, with ample warning given to riverside communities.
This proactive flood management strategy is directly linked to the approach of super typhoon Yagi, which the Thai Meteorological Department confirms made landfall in Vietnam on Saturday. Although Yagi is expected to weaken into a tropical storm and subsequently a depression, its effects will still be felt in Thailand.
“While Thailand won’t bear the brunt of Yagi directly, we’re anticipating heavy rainfall in the upper Northeastern and Northern regions until Tuesday,” a meteorological department spokesperson stated. “There’s a particular risk of flash floods in mountainous areas, especially in Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phayao provinces.”
The situation underscores the complex challenges faced by Thailand’s water management authorities as they balance the need to prevent flooding in upstream areas with the potential risks to downstream communities. It also highlights the interconnected nature of Southeast Asian weather systems, with events in neighbouring countries having significant implications for Thailand’s water levels and flood risks.
