Irrigation Dept denies causing widespread floods in capital

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RID Director General, Somkiat Prajamwong.
RID Director General, Somkiat Prajamwong.

Bangkok – The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has denied a rumor that it discharged water from the Bhumibol Dam and caused widespread flooding in Bangkok on Saturday.

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A rumor circulating in social media claims that the department is releasing 100 million cubic meters of water a day from Bhumibol Dam into the Chao Phraya River, causing massive flooding in the capital city.

In response, RID Director General, Somkiat Prajamwong said Sunday that the rumor was groundless while asking the public to stop sharing false and distorted information.

At present, he said the dam has 9.185 million cubic meters of water, which is equivalent to 66% of its total capacity, thus there is no need to discharge any water. He added that the dam hasn’t released any water since October 5 because the monsoon season is about to end.

On Saturday, 55 major roads in Bangkok were rendered inaccessible by widespread floods that were triggered by heavy downpours in the early hours of the morning.