7 provinces warned dam releasing more water
OFFICE of Regional Irrigation 12 issued an emergency warning letter to seven provinces, highlighting Ayutthaya, to get ready for an increased water level in Chao Phraya river as it is releasing more water to prepare for a mass of water from the North.
On August 10, Bowdaeng Takaew, director of Ayutthaya Provincial Irrigation Project, Ayutthaya province, told Matichon’s reporter that the Director of Office of Regional Irrigation 12, Suchart Chareonsri, had issued a notification letter to seven provincial governors namely Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya and Lop Buri that the Chao Phraya Dam (where the Office of Regional Irrigation 12 is located) in Chai Nat would need to accelerate the discharge of water downstream from the August 10 onwards.
The reason being the water mass from the North along the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan rivers (which combine into Chao Phraya river at Pak Nam Pho area in Nakhon Sawan province) was flowing more rapidly and was already 1,699 cubic meters per second.
The Chao Phraya Dam needs to manage water from the North by pushing it into the sea via the Chao Phraya river as fast as possible while trying to create minimal impact to the lower area especially Ayutthaya province.
At present, it is discharging 1,267 cubic meters per second of water and this rate will have to increase during this period. While it is trying to keep the discharging rate at no more than 1,500 cubic meters per second, the office would like to notify the governors and related Royal Irrigation Department units of the listed provinces to notify and warn the people along the Chao Phraya and Noi river banks to be prepared and stay alert.
However, there were reports from local authorities in Ayutthaya’s Bang Ban district that water from Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat province will flow and arrive at this district within only 24 hours. And the drainage of this increasing water discharge will cause the third flood over two months.
CAPTION:
Top: Chao Phraya Dam is releasing a lot more water. Photo: Matichon
Below: The letter which Office of Regional Irrigation 12 Director Suchart Chareonsri sent to seven provinces. Image: Matichon
SOURCE: Matichon
By Piboon Awasdaruharote
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