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Flood Alert Issued for Bangkok and Central Region Provinces

A flood alert has been issued for Bangkok and 10 provinces in the Central Region due to an increased release of water from the Chao Phraya Dam.

Chaiyawat Junthirapong, head of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, stated that the alert applies to Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Suphanburi, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Bangkok.

Authorities have been ordered to closely monitor water levels, especially in areas outside flood barriers that are prone to flooding.

Residents living along the Chao Phraya River, particularly in low-lying, high-risk zones, will be notified to remain alert and prepare for potential floods.

Local governments and related agencies have also been instructed to inspect flood defenses, ensure disaster relief equipment is ready, deploy personnel for monitoring, and be prepared to assist affected communities around the clock, Chaiyawat added.

The department, acting as the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Operations Centre, has received weather updates from the Royal Irrigation Department.

These updates indicate unstable conditions across upper Thailand, including thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall affecting the northern and central regions, as well as Bangkok and surrounding areas.

It was reported yesterday that water is flowing through the Chao Phraya Dam at a rate of 2,000 cubic meters per second.

Weather forecasts suggest that by October 11, water flow at the Nakhon Sawan Province station could increase to 2,200-2,500 cubic meters per second.

The National Water Resources Committee has approved a plan to gradually increase the dam’s water discharge, with an upper limit of 2,500 cubic meters per second.

To minimize the impact downstream, the Royal Irrigation Department will regulate water flow through the dam at a maximum of 2,400 cubic meters per second, balancing the northern water mass and expected rainfall during this period.

This discharge rate is expected to raise water levels along the Chao Phraya River by 60-70 centimeters in low-lying areas outside flood barriers, potentially affecting communities in Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, and Chainat.

Provinces downstream of the dam and relevant agencies have been warned, and residents along the river and in flood-prone areas are advised to closely monitor water levels and prepare for potential flooding.

Further updates will be provided if the water flow through the dam increases due to rising levels upstream.