Bangkok: The government has ordered measures to cope with upstream water flow, adjusting water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam to 700-1,000 cubic meters per second in response to the situation. Districts along the Ayutthaya river have been warned to prepare for high water levels.
According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Patthadarasmi Thongslueykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that due to continuous heavy rainfall in many areas in the upper part of the country, the water volume flowing into the Chao Phraya River basin has increased steadily. The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has instructed relevant agencies to proactively integrate their efforts to address the water situation and prepare to provide close and urgent assistance to affected people in the area.
Monitoring and assessments by the Smart Water Operations Center (SWOC) of the Royal Irrigation Department predict that by August 28, 2026, the water flow through station C.2 in Mueang Nakhon Sawan District will increase to approximately 1,000-1,100 cubic meters per second (m³/s). This will result in an increased water flow into the area upstream of the Chao Phraya Dam, reaching 1,100-1,200 m³/s.
The deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that the government, through the Royal Irrigation Department, has planned water management upstream of the dam by accelerating the diversion of water into irrigation systems on both the eastern and western sides to reduce peak water levels. Simultaneously, they are adjusting the water discharge through the Chao Phraya Dam to a rate of 700-1,000 cubic meters per second to match the upstream water volume. This adjustment will result in a rise in the water level downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam by approximately 0.60-1.50 meters.
However, there will be areas at risk that may be affected by upstream water, which require close monitoring, especially low-lying areas outside the flood embankments in six districts of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province: Sena, Phak Hai, Bang Bal, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Bang Pa In, and Bang Sai.
Captain Patthadarasmi emphasized that residents living in low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya River and areas downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam, especially in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province and surrounding areas, should closely monitor the water situation and official warnings. The government will manage water resources to the best of its ability, while also monitoring accumulated rainfall, in order to minimize the impact on the public.