Discharges through Chao Phraya Dam, high tides could flood central provinces

Irrigation officials have increased the rate of discharge of water, into the Chao Phraya River through the Chao Phraya Dam in Chainat province, to 800m3/s, starting today, in anticipation of increased runoffs into the reservoir due to heavy rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Wipha.

This increased rate of discharge will cause the level of the downstream Chao Phraya to rise by 20-80cm, which will affect areas around the Phong Pheng Canal in Ang Thong province and the Bang Barn Canal in Ayutthaya.

The irrigation officials have hinted that the discharge rate may be adjusted up to 1,200m3/s step-by-step.

As such, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Bangkok are advised to prepare for overflows.

Meanwhile, the National Water Resources Office has issued a warning of high tides in the Chao Phraya River, between 8pm and 11pm from July 23rd to 28th, which is expected to push the level of the river up by another 30cm.

The anticipated heavy rainfall, from the influence of the intensifying southwestern monsoon, and high tides, mean that people living along the Chao Phraya, Tha Chine and Mae Klong rivers in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Songkhram are advised to brace for overflows.

A 24-hour ‘war room’ has been set up, on the order of Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, to coordinate efforts between the Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and all provincial administrations, to cope with the impacts of Wipha and to inform the public of water conditions, especially watercourse overflows.