Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya:The Rama VI Dam has issued a red flag warning due to water discharge exceeding critical levels, prompting alerts for communities along the Pa Sak River to prepare for rising water levels. Residents in low-lying areas are advised to move belongings to higher ground.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Witthaya Kaewmee, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, reported that the Phra Ram VI Dam is currently releasing water at a rate of 647.25 cubic meters per second, surpassing the red flag threshold of 550 cubic meters per second. This increase follows a rise in water flow into the Pa Sak River.
The heightened discharge has caused water levels in the Pa Sak River downstream of the Phra Ram VI Dam to rise. A warning has been issued specifically to residents in Tha Ruea District and the surrounding areas in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province to monitor water levels closely and avoid activities near riverbanks. The Royal Irrigation Department estimates that the discharge rate of 600-700 cubic meters per second could elevate water levels downstream by approximately 1.00-1.20 meters.
Additionally, the Pa Sak Chonlasit Dam's reservoir is currently at 102.27% capacity, holding 891.26 million cubic meters of water. An inflow of about 370 million cubic meters is expected over the next week, necessitating a gradual increase in water release to maintain control over reservoir levels.
The Royal Irrigation Department plans to scale up water discharge from 2.17 million cubic meters per day to 9.97 million cubic meters on September 30th, and further to 19.87 million cubic meters on October 1st, and 34.56 million cubic meters on October 2nd. This is anticipated to raise the Pa Sak River's water level by 3.50-4.00 meters, keeping the water within the river channel.
Water from the Pa Sak Chonlasit Dam travels through the Rama VI Dam and eventually joins the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya Province. During increased discharge periods, the Chao Phraya Dam's output will be capped at 2,000 cubic meters per second to manage downstream flow.
In the Chao Phraya River, water volume at station C.2 in Nakhon Sawan province has risen to 2,038 cubic meters per second. The water level upstream of the Chao Phraya Dam is being controlled to not exceed +18.00 meters above mean sea level, currently standing at +17.66 meters. The department has also enhanced water distribution to irrigation systems on both banks.
The Royal Irrigation Department has advised Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, and Chai Nat provinces to remain alert for potential rises in water levels, especially in low-lying areas. Any increase in upstream flow may necessitate adjusting the Chao Phraya Dam's discharge within the proposed range of 2,000-2,500 cubic meters per second, pending approval from the National Water Resources Committee, to minimize impacts upstream and downstream.