FLOODING will likely worsen in western Phetchaburi province as Kaeng Krachan Dam’s water level has reached 690 million cubic meters, or 97% of the capacity, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) Director-General Thongplew Kongchan said today (Aug. 5, 2018).
The dam’s present 8.60 million cubic meters daily discharge rate has already flooded many downstream areas, he added
The RID has installed 12 siphons pumps to add 0.5 million cubic meters/day discharging capability, and 20 additional Hydro Flow water pumps which are capable of pushing 2.6 million cubic meters/day, and this should help to discharge a total 12 million cubic meters of water per day.
It was projected by the RID that the water level in Kaeng Krachan dam will overflow through its Spillway within today (August 5, 2018) estimated by the added continual flows of water to the dam.
However, the RID reassured the public that the structure of the dam is still unaffected. It has also prepared to relay the water reaching the Phetchaburi dam to all irrigation canals and then to the drainage canals, natural canals and finally to the Gulf of Thailand.
It has also planned to use RMC3 canal and D9 canal to help push the water out to the sea. This would help reduce the amount of water that would flow through downstream communities and agricultural areas.
Additionally, 7 backhoes were ready onsite, 30 water pumps are hastily being installed along with 44 Water Jet (water pusher) machines to drain and accelerate the flow of the Phetchaburi river and agricultural area within today (August 5).
Somkiat Prajamwong, secretary-general of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) said the water should arrive at the Phetchaburi city districts on Monday, namely Tha Yang, Kang Krachan, Ban Lat, Muang and Ban Laem. The five districts may be under state of emergency because of the flood for around 2 months.
However, all the related authorities are prepared and alerted at their stations and the public has been warned about the flash floods, said Mr Somkiat.
CAPTION:
Top: Water has brimmed up to 97% of Kaeng Krachan dam’s capacity. Photo: Channel 7
Story credit: komchadluek.net and bangkokpost.com
By Piboon Awasdaruharote
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