BANGKOK (The Nation/ANN) – Bangkok and 10 other provinces have been placed on alert for rising water levels in the Chao Phraya River.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) warned that the release of water from the Chao Phraya Dam that began on Thursday would affect levels in the Chao Phraya and Noi rivers.
The 11 provinces affected are Bangkok, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Suphanburi, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan.
The DDPM said it was closely monitoring water levels in the rivers and would issue flood warnings to local residents if necessary.
It also instructed local authorities to check river embankments and ensure staff and equipment including water pumps were on standby 24 hours a day.
The Royal Irrigation Department forecasts heavy to very heavy rain until today in the North, swelling the Chao Phraya River.
The department estimates the Chao Phraya Dam will receive 1,400-1,600 cubic metres (m3) of water per second, requiring it to release 1,000-1,400m3.
It said communities located close to the river in Ang Thong and Ayutthaya can expect the water to rise by 0.2-0.6 metres.
The department will update the warning when the dam flow rises above 1,400m3.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the Chao Phraya River level would remain under control if there was no more heavy rain following tropical storm Mulan.
The Chao Phraya Dam level was worrying though manageable, he added.
