Thailand Dams Manage Northern Rainfall, Warn Three Provinces
Thailand’s Royal Irrigation Department says the Bhumibol and Sirikit dams can fully contain northern rainfall, and the Chao Phraya dam situation is improving. However, increased discharge from the Mae Klong dam may raise water levels by up to 50 cm in three central provinces, while releases from western and eastern dams are being controlled to limit impacts. Officials continue to monitor conditions in the east and west as rain persists.
The Bhumibol and Sirikit dams in the north are able to retain all incoming rainfall, preventing impacts downstream. At the Chao Phraya dam, flow measured at station C2 in Nakhon Sawan was 1,915 cubic metres per second, down from the previous day, indicating improvement. The Mae Klong dam has raised its discharge to 1,100 cubic metres per second, which could raise water levels by 40–50 centimetres in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Samut Sakhon, though officials say the effect will be limited due to lighter rain. Releases from the Kaeng Krachan and Phetchaburi dams are being managed to avoid downstream effects, with current inflows at half capacity. Officials warned that the eastern basins, particularly the Bang Pakong and Prachin Buri rivers, still need monitoring as tidal influences may cause water levels to stagnate or rise slightly.
