Bangkok:The Pasak Chonlasi Dam is releasing water at an increased rate as it exceeds its capacity, with water discharge rising to 500 cubic meters per second to manage reservoir levels ahead of impending rainfall.
According to Thai News Agency, the Royal Irrigation Department is managing water flows in the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak river basins in anticipation of new rainfall. The Pa Sak Chonlasi Dam has exceeded its normal storage capacity, necessitating an increase in water discharge to create additional storage space. Meanwhile, the Chao Phraya Dam is maintaining its discharge at 2,500 cubic meters per second, with careful coordination of release timings to manage downstream water flow.
Mr. Witthaya Kaewmee, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, has outlined the department's coordinated system for managing water intake and discharge in the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak basins. This system is designed to mitigate the impact of excessive water flow downstream from both basins simultaneously.
As of 6:00 AM, the Pasak Chonlasit Dam in Lopburi Province holds 957.13 million cubic meters of water, representing 109.83% of its normal capacity. Water inflow into the reservoir is measured at 397.95 cubic meters per second, prompting an increase in discharge to 500.04 cubic meters per second.
At Phra Ram 6 Dam in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, water flow was recorded at 675.65 cubic meters per second. Water release from this dam will be coordinated with the Pa Sak Chonlasi Dam and neighboring areas to regulate water flow in the lower Pa Sak basin, in conjunction with water management in the Chao Phraya basin.
The Royal Irrigation Department continues to manage the water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat Province at 2,500 cubic meters per second. This simultaneous management considers upstream water flow, contributions from neighboring areas, and downstream storage capacity to prevent excessive water flow into lower areas.
Monitoring of weather forecasts and announcements from the Meteorological Department is ongoing, with rainfall expected to increase from October 5-7 and again from October 9-13. This necessitates close observation of rainfall, runoff, and reservoir inflow to adjust water management strategies and increase storage capacity in response to the new wave of rainfall.