Bangkok: The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has announced plans to increase the water discharge from the Bhumibol Dam as it nears capacity due to the influx from Tropical Storm Kalmaegi.
According to Thai News Agency, the RID, in collaboration with various agencies, has decided to raise the daily discharge rate to 53 million cubic meters today, with a further increase to 55 million cubic meters tomorrow. The move comes as rainfall in the North is expected to taper off from November 13, signaling the end of the rainy season’s final wave.
Mr. Paitoon Kengkarnchang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), disclosed that a meeting was held with relevant agencies to evaluate the water situation and amend management plans. The heavy rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Kalmaegi has significantly increased water levels in the Bhumibol Dam, located in Tak Province, pushing it close to its capacity limits.
The decision was made to boost the dam’s water discharge, which currently holds about 127 million cubic meters of capacity. From today to tomorrow, the discharge rate will be set at 53 million cubic meters per day, later rising to 55 million cubic meters. This adjustment aims to expedite the release of water from the dam’s upper reaches without activating the emergency spillway.
The released water is expected to flow into the Chao Phraya River, reaching a peak flow rate of approximately 3,100 cubic meters per second through Nakhon Sawan Province. Consequently, the water level above the Chao Phraya Dam is projected to rise from +17.77 meters to nearly +18.00 meters above mean sea level, affecting areas in Uthai Thani and Chai Nat provinces.
In the meantime, the Chao Phraya Dam in Chainat Province has increased its water discharge from 2,800 to 2,900 cubic meters per second, maintaining this rate to ensure safety. This remains below the peak discharge rate of 3,700 cubic meters per second recorded in 2011.
Mr. Paitoon emphasized the awareness of all agencies regarding the plight of flood-affected communities, particularly in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province and other downstream regions. The Royal Irrigation Department is actively coordinating the release of water into fields capable of absorbing more and is hastening water release from the Chao Phraya Dam’s banks to alleviate the situation swiftly.
The ONWR anticipates that this water release will mark the conclusion of the 2025 rainy season’s water mass. The Meteorological Department and the Hydro-Informatics Institute (HNI) predict a decrease in rainfall in the northern and upper central regions from November 13, as cold air masses from China begin to dominate, causing heavier rainfall in the southern areas.