The Royal Irrigation Department has alerted residents in certain areas of Ayutthaya to prepare for potential flash floods as the Chao Phraya River continues to rise. This situation is being monitored at two key water stations.
On Wednesday, the department issued the warning for those living near Khlong Phong Pheng in Ang Thong, as well as along the banks of Khlong Bang Ban in the Bang Ban district and nearby areas in Phak Hai district, Ayutthaya.
The regions served by these two canals are under close observation by authorities, given their locations in low-lying plains.
A Facebook page, Ayutthaya Station, has criticized the government’s inadequate response to compensating local residents already affected by the rising water levels.
According to the department, the water discharge rate at the Chao Phraya barrage dam in Chai Nat is currently between 1,400 and 1,500 cubic meters per second, an increase from the 900 to 1,400 cubic meters per second recorded last week.
The flow at the C13 Station, situated near the Chao Phraya barrage, has been measured at 1,498 cubic meters per second. Additionally, on Wednesday, water flow through the C2 water station in Muang district of Nakhon Sawan, located upstream from the Chao Phraya barrage, rose to 1,529 cubic meters per second.
Surasee Kittimonthon, secretary-general of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), stated that continued rainfall could cause the water discharge rates at the C2 station to rise to 2,500 cubic meters per second and at the C13 to reach 2,000 cubic meters per second in the days ahead.
Mr. Surasee also noted that major dams, including Bhumibol in Tak, Sirikit in Uttaradit, and Kwae Noi Bamrung Dan in Phitsanulok, still have adequate capacity to store more water. Water catchment areas are being opened to help redirect excess water.
Residents in areas affected by the rising Chao Phraya River, such as Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi, have been warned of the risk of flash floods, Mr. Surasee added.
The Thai Meteorological Department has forecasted that Tropical Storm Yagi is likely to bring additional rainfall to the North and upper Northeast from September 8 to 13.