Bangkok: The Rama VI Dam in Tha Ruea District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, has reached “red flag” levels, with water discharge exceeding 550 cubic meters per second, a “critical” threshold. This has resulted in some areas downstream of the dam being affected, particularly the Wat Satue community in Tha Luang Subdistrict and the Tha Ruea Subdistrict Municipality Market.
According to Thai News Agency, the Royal Irrigation Department’s Regional Irrigation Office 10 has issued a warning that the Rama VI Dam is entering “red flag” or critical condition after its discharge rate exceeded 550 cubic meters per second. Today’s discharge rate was 567 cubic meters per second.
Water upstream of the dam has been managed through discharge into the Raphiphat Canal to maintain appropriate water levels and minimize impacts on downstream areas, particularly the Wat Satue community in Tha Luang Subdistrict and the Tha Ruea Subdistrict Municipality Market, which are low-lying areas.
The Rama VI Dam receives water from the Pasak Jolasid Dam, which is currently discharging at 600 cubic meters per second to prepare for the next wave of rain from Tropical Storm Bualoi.
While the Chao Phraya Dam maintains a discharge rate of 2,100 cubic meters per second to reduce downstream impacts in Ang Thong and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya provinces.
Typhoon Bualoi will bring increased rainfall to the northeastern and northern regions starting tomorrow. This has prompted major dams in the upper Chao Phraya River basin, namely the Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams, to increase their discharges. Consequently, the Chao Phraya River’s water level in Nakhon Sawan Province is expected to continue to rise. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Colonel Thammanat Prompao inspected the situation today and instructed the Royal Irrigation Department to expedite water discharge appropriately, taking into account both areas upstream and downstream of the dam. He also confirmed that despite the high water levels, Bangkok will definitely not be flooded, urging the public to rest assured.