Spokesperson of the National Water Resources Development and Reform Commission (NWR) compared water situation data for 2024 with 2011, finding that this year’s water is almost 10 times less. He emphasized that the release of water from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chainat will not affect important economic areas. He asked people in Bangkok and its vicinity to be confident.
Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, advisor to the Prime Minister and spokesman for the Flood, Storm and Landslide Relief Operation Center (FSOC) and the Forward Operation Center in Chiang Rai Province, revealed that today’s FSOC meeting concluded important issues that are of concern to people in the Central region, Bangkok and its vicinity. The summary of comparative data on the water situation between 2024 and 2011 found that from systematic water management, considering all factors including rainfall, water from the north and rising water, the water situation in 2024 will not repeat that of 2011 due to the following factors:
Number of storms: In 2011, the
re were 5 storms that hit Thailand: Haima, Nokten, Haitang, Nesat and Nalgae. Compared to 2024, there was only 1 storm that hit Thailand: “Zurich”. Although it did not move into Thailand, it caused heavy rain and flooding in many areas in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand.
Accumulated rainfall: Because in 2011, the rainy season in Thailand started earlier than usual and the accumulated rainfall was 24% higher than average, and it was the highest rainfall in 61 years or since 1951. In 2024, even though the rainfall nationwide was higher than the 30-year average, the overall accumulated rainfall was 2% higher than normal.
The amount of water that the dams can hold in 2011 due to the higher than normal accumulated rainfall caused the main dams of Thailand to hold 1,366 million cubic meters of water. However, in 2024, the government’s water management allowed the main dams to hold up to 7,162 million cubic meters of water.
The volume of water discharge or the volume of water discharged from the
upper part, especially the water discharged through the Chao Phraya Dam which affected the Chao Phraya River Basin in 2011, had a water discharge rate as high as 3,661 cubic meters/second, while the water discharged from the Chao Phraya Dam on 28 September 2014 was 1,848 cubic meters/second. In addition, the river capacity can support a discharge rate of up to 2,730 cubic meters/second.
Mr. Jirayu revealed that the meeting of the NESDB working group emphasized that the release of water from the Chao Phraya Dam must take into account the amount of water flowing upstream of the dam and the amount of seawater that will affect the water level in the Chao Phraya Basin, which all agencies confirmed that it will not affect important economic areas, especially in Bangkok.
‘Currently, the Chao Phraya Dam is releasing water at 1,900 cubic meters per second. However, there is concern that water from the North is starting to flow in more. In the next 2-3 days, it may be necessary to increase the water discharge to more
than 2,000 cubic meters per second, which may affect 11 areas downstream of the dam in 4 provinces (Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, Chai Nat) as previously notified. However, it will definitely not affect Bangkok because it can release water up to 3,000-3,500 cubic meters per second. However, if there is a sea surge, especially in low-lying areas and gaps along the Chao Phraya River, which the BMA surveyed and found to be 32 in total, Bangkok and surrounding provinces have ordered them to be prepared,’ said Mr. Chirayu.
Mr. Jirayu added that the Chiang Rai Provincial Emergency Response Center reported that from monitoring the water situation in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, it was found that the water level in both provinces has started to decrease. In Chiang Rai, flash floods have hit 4 districts: Mueang, Mae Suai, Mae Lao, and Wiang Pa Pao. 2,892 households have been affected. Relevant agencies are rushing to survey the damage, carry out restoration, and pay compensation.
In Chiang Mai Provin
ce, heavy rains caused flash floods and landslides in 5 districts: Mueang, Saraphi, Hang Dong, San Pa Tong, and Doi Lor. In Chiang Mai Municipality, relevant agencies are urgently restoring and cleaning up areas where the water situation has begun to improve, including Charoen Rat Road from Nawarat Bridge to Nakhon Ping Bridge, Chang Klan Road from Wat Upakut to Saengtawan Intersection, Si Don Chai Road from Saengtawan Intersection to Anantara Hotel Intersection, Charoen Prathet Road from Anantara Hotel Intersection to Nawarat Bridge. Relevant agencies are surveying the damage and providing assistance, while also expediting the drainage of water from the area.
Source: Thai News Agency