People living in low-lying areas unprotected by floodwalls in some areas of the central provinces of Ang Thong and Ayutthaya are advised to brace for flooding between October 3rd and 7th, due to the rising water level in the Chao Phraya River, which is being caused by northern runoff.
According to the National Water Resources Office, the amount of water in the Chao Phraya flowing through the Chao Phraya dam in Chainat province between October 3rd and 7th is expected to be increased to 1,200-1,400 cubic metres per second. This will push the water from the river, which is expected to rise by as much as 1.5 metres, into areas outside the floodwalls in Khlong Pongpeng of Ang Thong, Hua Wiang sub-district in Sena district and Lat Chid sub-district in the Pak Hai district of Ayutthaya up by 1-1.5 metres.
Overflows are also expected during the same period from the Wang River in Sam Ngao and Ban Tak districts in Tak province and from the Yom River in Sawankhalok, Sri Nakhon, Si Samrong, Si Satchanalai, Thung Saliam and Mueang districts of Sukhothai province.
About 1,400 households in 165 villages in Sukhothai have already been affected by flooding and over 386 hectares of farmland have sustained damage.
Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin visited Sukhothai province yesterday (Saturday), to see the situation for himself and coordinate relief efforts.
He expressed concern over the increased amount of water now flowing downstream the Yom River, saying that it has increased by 350 cubic metres/second, on top of the nominal rate of 880 cubic metres/second.
He said that the sluice gate in Sukhothai province can discharge only 450 cubic metres/second of water downstream and this will increase the risk of flooding in Sukhothai.
Meanwhile, in Chiang Mai province, Highway 3003 linking Chom Thong district with Lamphun province is partially flooded, making the affected section impassable to all vehicles. Three bridges are reported to have been damaged by the flooding.
