Fish Rafts Block Mae Klong Dam Gates, Officials Downplay Impact
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On September 30, 2026, numerous fish rafts and cages floated into the Mae Klong Dam’s spillway after being torn from their banks by strong currents, prompting nearby villagers to monitor the scene closely. Residents feared the debris could impede the dam’s water release, but Irrigation Office 13 Director Kongphong Jeowyoo said the rafts and cages cause no damage or disruption to discharge operations, which are currently set at 2,180–2,200 cubic metres per second. He noted that an earlier plan to raise outflow to 2,500 cubic metres per second at noon was scrapped after surveys showed upstream water levels dropping and stabilizing, leading the dam to cap discharge at 2,200 cubic metres per second to protect downstream communities. To clear the blockage, the office has requested tug and suction boats from the Marine Department to pull the rafts away and collect loose tanks and cage fragments, possibly requiring partial closure of the spillway for safety while guaranteeing no effect on the discharge schedule. Looking ahead, officials said they had previously warned fish‑farm owners to prepare for high water and had installed protective buoys upstream, but the strong flow still allowed some rafts to breach the barriers; consequently, patrol boats will be deployed to inspect riverbank cages more frequently and reduce the risk of a repeat incident.
