Bangkok: The Royal Irrigation Department has announced an increase in the water discharge rate through the Chao Phraya Dam to 2,100 cubic meters per second, beginning at 11:00 a.m. today, in an effort to maintain control over water levels upstream. The department is also deploying water-pushing equipment and accelerating the flow of water into the Tha Chin River to mitigate the risk of overflow.

According to Thai News Agency, the Royal Irrigation Department’s Smart Water Operations Center has reported a continuous rise in the Chao Phraya River’s water level in Nakhon Sawan Province. This situation necessitates a gradual increase in water discharge downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam to safeguard the lower Chao Phraya River basin from adverse effects.

The Chao Phraya Dam is being utilized by the Royal Irrigation Department to retain water from the north and direct it into the irrigation system flanking the canal at maximum capacity. To manage water levels effectively, the discharge downstream has been increased from 2,000 cubic meters per second yesterday to 2,100 cubic meters per second as of 11:00 a.m. today.

The release of water from the dam towards both the west and east banks of the Chao Phraya River has led to a continuous rise in the water level of the Tha Chin River, situated on the west bank. This situation, exacerbated by high tides at certain periods, has resulted in flooding in low-lying areas across several provinces, including Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Sakhon.

In Nakhon Pathom Province, the department has set up 32 water pumps across six strategic locations to expedite water drainage into the Gulf of Thailand and prevent riverbank overflow. These locations include the Bang Phra Canal Drainage Gate, Samrong Temple Bridge, Ruam Mek Bridge, Sai 8 Bridge, Song Khanong Bridge, and Pho Kaew Bridge.

The Tha Chin River serves as the main drainage conduit for the western Chao Phraya River, channeling water through an extensive irrigation system to the Gulf of Thailand. Nevertheless, the river encounters several challenges, such as its winding path, low-lying topography, sedimentation issues, occasional coastal surges from Samut Sakhon Province, and the proliferation of buildings and communities that impede the waterway.

The Royal Irrigation Department has pledged to closely monitor the water situation and collaborate with relevant agencies to enhance drainage efficiency and minimize the impact on residents in the Chao Phraya and Tha Chin river basins.