Thailand’s former capital to stay dry as water recedes

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AYUTTHAYA, Sept 25 –  The provincial irrigation bureau in this former capital of Thailand, 70km north of Bangkok, has allayed fears of floods thanks to receding water in the Chao Phraya River.

Maitree Pitinanond, director of the Ayutthaya Irrigation Bureau, said less water has been released from the Chao Phraya Dam in upper northern Chai Nat province and the water level in the Chao Phraya River, measured at Bang Ban and Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya districts, has fallen by 5-10cm per day.

The Chao Phraya River will be stable for a period, he said, adding that the huge volume of water which wreaked havoc in Sukhothai province has passed the Chao Phraya Dam and spread out.

In Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in and Bangsai districts, the Chao Phraya River rose by nearly 10cm yesterday after water was discharged from the Rama VI Dam into the Pasak River which meets the Chao Phraya River near Ayutthaya’s ancient temple of Wat Panancherng.

Several communities in Bang Pa-in and Bangsai districts have been flooded but Mr Maitree assured the public that the situation will not worsen thanks to the reduced amount of water from upstream.