Government Launches Flood Information Center to Curb Confusion
Government establishes a unified flood information center to combat misinformation, as Bangkok faces its heaviest rainfall in 43 years with water levels expected to drop within days if weather improves.
The government has established the Joint Information and Communication Center, or JICC, to provide unified flood situation updates and reduce public confusion from conflicting information. Government spokesman Ekaphop Pierpetch said that in an era of rapid information flow, accurate and timely data is essential for public safety and decision-making. Official briefings will be held daily at 10:00 a.m. through Thai National Broadcasting Services and the Thai Sky pair Facebook page.
The spokesman addressed public concerns about whether Thailand faces another catastrophe like the 2011 floods. The 2011 crisis involved five consecutive storms that caused massive water runoff and filled four major dams—Bhumibol, Sirikit, Pasak, and Khwae Noi Bamrungdham—to 100 percent capacity. In contrast, these four dams currently have a combined capacity to absorb 7,260 million cubic meters of water.
The current flooding in Bangkok and surrounding areas results from extreme weather patterns with spiral rainfall covering the eastern, central, and Bangkok regions. Since September 24, accumulated rainfall has reached 340 millimeters, equivalent to 248 million cubic meters of water—the highest rainfall recorded since 1983, a span of 43 years. The government has coordinated with Bangkok authorities to operate water drainage systems at full capacity around the clock through pumping stations and drainage tunnels to discharge water into the Chao Phraya River.
Without additional rainfall, water levels are expected to recede within two to three days, with an average drainage capacity of 50 million cubic meters per day. The Meteorological Department reports that a low-pressure system has moved westward, though heavy rain may still occur in the western, eastern, central regions, and Bangkok area. The government advises residents to avoid flooded zones and has established temporary shelters and vehicle parking areas. Information is available through the JICC Thai Sky pair Facebook page.
