The Royal Irrigation Department has increased the water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam to 1,500 cubic meters per second, warning people in low-lying areas outside the embankments to move their belongings to higher ground. During this period, the Chao Phraya Dam will continue to use the water to hold back for as long as possible, while monitoring the increasing rain from the severe tropical storm (YAGI) ‘Yagi.’ If it falls in the central region, the Subcommittee on Water Resource Management may have to be asked to increase the water discharge.
Mr. Thanet Sombun, Director of the Water Management and Hydrology Office, Royal Irrigation Department, said that this morning (4 September), the trend of water in the Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan Province is stable. This morning, the water volume measured at the C2 water measurement station in Mueang Nakhon Sawan District, Nakhon Sawan Province, was 1,529 cubic meters per second, down from yesterday’s 1,551 cubic meters per second. However, the Meteorological
Department has issued a warning that Thailand will continue to experience continuous rain, and it is necessary to watch out for more rain from 8-13 September from the influence of the severe tropical storm “Yagi”, which, although it is expected to weaken into a low-pressure trough in northern Laos, will result in a monsoon trough passing through and more rain. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly drain water from the north into the sea.
At the Chao Phraya Dam, the water discharge has been increased from 1,449 cubic meters per second to 1,490 cubic meters per second, which will increase the water level downstream of the dam by 18 centimeters. Residents living along both banks of the Chao Phraya River/Mae Noi River and low-lying areas outside the embankment in the areas of Khlong Phong Pheng, Ang Thong Province, Khlong Bang Ban, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Tambon Hua Wiang, Sena District, Tambon Lat Chit, Tambon Tha Din Daeng, Phak Hai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, are warned to move bel
ongings to higher ground to prevent damage and to closely monitor the water level.
The Royal Irrigation Department has diverted water flowing upstream of the Chao Phraya Dam into the irrigation system on both the west and east sides in an amount that does not affect the agricultural areas that have not yet been harvested. The water has been stored at the Chao Phraya Dam as much as possible. However, if the amount of water flowing down from the upper part increases and there is rain in the area as predicted by the Meteorological Department, it may be necessary to increase the water discharge at the Chao Phraya Dam beyond the rate of 1,500 cubic meters/second. The Royal Irrigation Department must request permission from the Subcommittee on Water Resource Management 3 days in advance before releasing water.
Mr. Thanet said that in September-October, which will have heavy rain, the Royal Irrigation Department still has areas to support water in 11 lowland fields in the lower Chao Phraya River basin, which will
require farmers to finish harvesting the main season rice, which will help cut the flooding.
Source: Thai News Agency