BANGKOK, Thailand – The Royal Irrigation Department has issued its second warning on the Chao Phraya River situation after heavy and accumulated rainfall in upper areas increased the amount of water flowing toward the river. At 6am on September 28, water flowing through station C.2 in Nakhon Sawan measured 1,904 cubic meters per second. The flow is expected to rise to around 2,000–2,200 cubic meters per second, with water from tributaries potentially bringing the flow through the Chao Phraya Dam to about 2,200–2,400 cubic meters per second.
Because lower areas of the Chao Phraya remain affected by standing floodwater, including riverside communities outside flood barriers, the department said it would temporarily hold back water in available areas upstream of the Chao Phraya Dam. This will cause water levels upstream of the dam to rise, but authorities said they will control the level so it does not exceed 18.00 meters above mean sea level.
The areas being closely monitored include Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani and Chai Nat. Residents and riverside businesses, including construction sites, riverbank protection projects and floating restaurants, have been advised to move belongings to higher ground and closely follow official water situation updates. The Royal Irrigation Department said it will continue monitoring water levels and managing flows to reduce impacts both upstream and downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam.
