Nakhon Sawan:Water levels upstream of the Chao Phraya River continue to decrease, prompting the Royal Irrigation Department to reduce the water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam to 2,400 cubic meters per second this afternoon.
According to Thai News Agency, the Royal Irrigation Department has been monitoring the water situation in the Chao Phraya basin closely. Observations indicate a continuous decline in water volumes from upstream areas, leading to reduced water flow into the Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan province. Consequently, the department is preparing to gradually adjust the water discharge downstream of the dam to reflect current rainfall and water flow conditions.
As of 6:00 AM, the water flow at station P.17 on the Ping River measured 484 cubic meters per second, and at station N.67 on the Nan River, it was 998 cubic meters per second, both showing a downward trend. This has led to a decrease in the total water flow at station C.2 in Nakhon Sawan Province to 1,915 cubic meters per second. Meanwhile, the Sakae Krang River at station Ct.19 in Uthai Thani Province recorded a flow rate of 52 cubic meters per second.
Currently, the Chao Phraya Dam is releasing water at a rate of 2,500 cubic meters per second, with the upstream water level at +16.38 meters above mean sea level. Due to the decreasing trend in upstream water volume, the department began reducing the water release rate from 8:00 AM, decreasing it by approximately 20 cubic meters per second per hour until it reaches 2,400 cubic meters per second by 1:00 PM, which will be maintained continuously.
Simultaneously, water intake into the irrigation systems on both the eastern and western sides has been reduced to a combined 487 cubic meters per second from the previous 564 cubic meters per second, aiming to balance water management across the system in line with the decreased water volume.
The Royal Irrigation Department will continue to monitor rainfall and runoff from upstream areas closely, adjusting water management as necessary, while ensuring that information is continuously disseminated to the public and relevant agencies.