Mae Klong:The Royal Irrigation Department has increased the water discharge downstream of the Mae Klong Dam to 2,000 cubic meters per second, anticipating a 3-meter rise in water levels. Warnings have been issued to residents in four provinces along the river and in low-lying areas to move belongings to higher ground, monitor the health of vulnerable groups, and prepare evacuation plans.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Witthaya Kaewmee, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, stated that the department is closely monitoring the water situation in the Mae Klong River basin. The water levels in the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers have been increasing, which has resulted in more water flowing into the Mae Klong River. As of 100 PM, the river's water discharge was adjusted to 2,000 cubic meters per second, predicting a 3-meter increase in downstream water levels.

Previously, an urgent letter was issued by Irrigation Office Region 13 to the governors of Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, and Samut Sakhon provinces. At 1000 AM, the K.37 telemetry station in Ban Wang Yen, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province, showed the Khwae Noi River's water volume at 1,895 cubic meters per second, with a tendency to rise. The Khwae Yai River also had a high water volume, expected to continue increasing and contributing more water to the Mae Klong River.

The rain front is moving northward toward the western part of central Thailand, particularly affecting Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces, where heavy rainfall is still expected. The Vajiralongkorn Dam in Kanchanaburi held 8,484 million cubic meters of water, or 96% of its capacity. With continued inflow, it is necessary to increase water discharge to accommodate the incoming water.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has increased the Vajiralongkorn Dam's water discharge from 15 to 30 million cubic meters per day and plans to further increase it to 42 million cubic meters per day between September 30 and October 4, 2026. The water will flow into the Khwae Noi River, join the Khwae Yai River in Kanchanaburi Province, and form the Mae Klong River. Continuous assessment of the water volume flowing into the Mae Klong Dam is necessary.

The Royal Irrigation Department urges government agencies, local administrative organizations, businesses, and residents along rivers and in low-lying areas to move belongings to higher ground, monitor the health of the sick and elderly, prepare evacuation plans for potential flooding, and follow water situation updates from government agencies closely.