Chainat: A flood barrier collapsed in the middle of the night, leading to severe flooding in several villages within the Sapphaya District, Chainat Province. The Chao Phraya River breached a sandbag barrier after the Chao Phraya Dam increased its water discharge, resulting in strong currents inundating the Hat Asa Subdistrict. The flooding event has prompted emergency response actions, with the governor of Uthai Thani rushing to assist over 100 affected villagers in Ban Lawa by installing a temporary Bailey bridge for public travel.
According to Thai News Agency, Thanet Somboon, Director of the Water Management and Hydrology Office of the Royal Irrigation Department, reported that the Chao Phraya Dam discharged water at a rate of 2,700 cubic meters per second, the highest volume recorded due to previous heavy rainfall in the Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan river basins. Despite the dam’s capacity to hold water, rain downstream has caused rapid flow into the Chao Phraya Basin. A water management plan is under development to address the anticipated impact of Tropical Storm Kalmaegi, which is expected to bring widespread rainfall across Thailand. Authorities aim to divide as much water into the irrigation system as possible, while striving to maintain a discharge rate of 2,700 cubic meters per second to mitigate impacts on the lower Chao Phraya Basin.
Flooding footage captured by villagers in Sapphaya District at 2 a.m. revealed that the Chao Phraya River level had risen more than 37 centimeters, causing sandbag barriers to collapse and water to flood the village. By 6 a.m., the water continued to flow strongly, prompting villagers to move their belongings to higher ground and seek refuge on the second floors of their homes. The municipality has issued announcements for residents in other villages to move their possessions to safety as the river’s volume continues to rise.
In Uthai Thani Province, over 100 ethnic villagers living in the valley of Ban Lawa have been isolated due to flood damage to infrastructure. The road along the Isa Weir and the bridge over the river have been impassable since November 4th, stranding residents and preventing access to essential services. Uthai Thani Governor Thiraphat Katchmat has initiated the installation of a temporary Bailey bridge to restore access. The bridge installation, which is expected to take four to five days due to challenging terrain, aims to alleviate the villagers’ plight, while officials continue to deliver necessary supplies.