CHAI NAT, Thailand – The Royal Irrigation Department is gradually reducing downstream discharge from Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat Province to 1,900 cubic meters per second as water conditions in the Chao Phraya River basin improve. On October 12, the department’s Smart Water Operation Center reported that water flow at Station C.2 in Nakhon Sawan was approximately 1,824 cubic meters per second and decreasing. Combined upstream runoff and rainfall increased the volume upstream of Chao Phraya Dam to about 2,322 cubic meters per second.
Water releases are being reduced in stages starting at 9 a.m., at an average rate of 15 cubic meters per second per hour, until reaching 1,900 cubic meters per second at 4 p.m. The discharge rate will then be maintained at that level to reduce downstream water volume and ease impacts on communities along the Chao Phraya River as upstream inflows decline.
The Royal Irrigation Department will continue to monitor rainfall and upstream water volumes closely and adjust releases as needed, considering impacts on communities both upstream and downstream of the dam. Residents along the Chao Phraya River are advised to continue monitoring official updates on the water situation. (NNT)
