Bangkok: The Royal Irrigation Department announced it will increase water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam to accommodate increased rainfall and manage water flow into the irrigation system on both sides to reduce impacts on low-lying areas downstream of the dam.

According to Thai News Agency, the Royal Irrigation Department reported on the water situation in the Chao Phraya River, stating that increased rainfall in the northern and upper central regions has resulted in a continued rise in water levels in the Chao Phraya River basin. At Station C.13 of the Chao Phraya Dam in Chainat Province, which was releasing water downstream at 2,000 cubic meters per second yesterday, this morning (November 3rd) the rate increased to 2,100 cubic meters per second, and the trend continues to increase.

The Royal Irrigation Department has held back water upstream of the Chao Phraya Dam and diverted water into the irrigation system on both sides according to the canal’s capacity to ensure balanced water management. The Department will control the flow of water through the Chao Phraya Dam to no more than 2,200 cubic meters per second to mitigate impacts on low-lying areas downstream and confirm that there will be no impact on areas upstream of the dam.

This water management also serves to cushion the increasing rainfall during this period. The Meteorological Department predicts that between November 4th and 9th, more rain will continue to fall in the northern, northeastern, and upper central regions due to the influence of the monsoon trough and the low-pressure area covering the area. This will result in a further increase in water flow into the Chao Phraya River for a period of time.

For areas outside the embankment that are still affected by rising water levels, they include low-lying areas in Ang Thong Province, such as Khlong Phong Pheng, Wat Chaiyo, and Pa Mok District; Khlong Bang Ban area, Hua Wiang Subdistrict, and Lat Chit Subdistrict in Phak Hai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province; Wat Sing area, In Buri District, Mueang Sing Buri District, and Phrom Buri District in Sing Buri Province; and Phonangdam Subdistrict, Sapphaya District, Chainat Province.