Sudden Flooding Hits Sena After Dam Discharge Increase

On September 22, a reporter documented the water situation in Ayutthaya province following the Royal Irrigation Department's decision to increase discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam from 1,300 to 1,500 cubic meters per second to manage incoming rainfall and water flow from upstream areas. The increase caused widespread flooding in low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya and Noi rivers, particularly affecting Moo 2 community in Ban Krathum subdistrict of Sena district, which is among the first areas to experience severe impact.

Water levels rose continuously over several days and intensified with daily evening rainfall, causing the Noi River to overflow rapidly and inundate homes. Field inspections found floodwater reaching approximately one meter high, forcing residents to quickly relocate belongings, furniture, and park vehicles on higher ground along roadsides. Travel in and out of homes required rowing boats exclusively, with about 7-8 households already affected.

Seventy-year-old resident Sawaeng Srinangayem reported that water began rising four days earlier but surged dramatically over the past two nights. He expressed fear as the department announced further increases in water discharge. Sawaeng noted that this year's flooding came much later than usual—last year his rice harvest was interrupted by floods, but this year he finished harvesting before water arrived. "I was relieved and thought there would be no flooding this year, but just yesterday the water was only 30 centimeters high. Today it's reached my chest—surged a full meter overnight. This area always floods every year, whether it's a lot or a little. Everywhere else can still drive, but here we have to paddle boats every year before anyone else," he said.