Authorities Warn of Possible Flooding in Bangkok Oct 11-13
The National Water Resources Office warns of possible localized flooding in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan from October 11‑13 due to expected rain. Upstream water levels are low and dam releases are being managed to create storage capacity, though some low‑lying areas of Ayutthaya may still be affected and preparations are underway.
The Pasak Jolasid dam, which is currently above full capacity, is discharging water at a rate of 400 cubic metres per second into the Pasak River, which flows through Saraburi. When combined with the Chao Nat‑Pasak canal, the total outflow reaches 540 cubic metres per second before joining the Chao Phraya River, where the main release is set at 2,500 cubic metres per second. Recent measurements show the combined flow will reach about 2,100 cubic metres per second at Bang Pa‑in and Bang Sai before moving on to Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi, with some water diverting toward Phak Hai and Chao Chiet sub‑districts in Sena district and then onward to Suphan Buri. Water levels along the banks in Nonthaburi remain at least 1.2 metres below the top of the embankments, 0.57 metres lower than in Pathum Thani and 1.2 metres lower than in Bangkok, leaving ample capacity for drainage. The National Water Resources Office stressed that, while the upstream water situation is improving and there is no cause for alarm, the forecast rain of October 11‑13 must be monitored. If the steady release of 2,500 cubic metres per second can be maintained, sufficient storage will be available to protect the capital and its vicinity. However, some low‑lying areas outside the floodwalls in eight districts of Ayutthaya Province — including Sena and Phak Hai — may still experience effects, prompting the provincial governor to deploy soldiers to assist residents and, if necessary, evacuate communities to accommodate the required discharge rate over the next five to six days. Regarding the Tha Chin basin, officials acknowledged that water volumes remain relatively high. The outlet at the Pho Phraya sluice gate in Suphan Buri must be carefully managed to avoid excessive impact, while earlier rainfall in five districts of Kanchanaburi also feeds into the Tha Chin River via the Song Phi Nong area. Coordination between Suphan Buri and Nakhon Pathom provinces has been effective in managing the flow.
