Bangkok: The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is expediting the release of water from the Bhumibol Dam following a significant inflow caused by Tropical Storm Kalmaegi, which has affected northern Thailand. The department is taking measures to manage the water levels as rainfall is anticipated to decrease by November 13th. The Chao Phraya River’s water flow is expected to drop below 1,000 cubic meters per second by mid-December.
According to Thai News Agency, the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) convened a meeting with multiple agencies to devise a water management strategy in response to the heavy rains induced by Tropical Storm Kalmaegi. The storm has nearly filled the Bhumibol Dam in Tak Province, leaving only 127 million cubic meters of storage space. To manage this, it was resolved to increase the water discharge to 53 million cubic meters per day today and to 55 million cubic meters per day tomorrow, thereby avoiding the need to open the dam’s emergency spillway.
The discharged water fro
m the Bhumibol Dam is projected to flow into the Chao Phraya River, reaching a peak flow rate of around 3,100 cubic meters per second through Nakhon Sawan Province. Consequently, water levels above the Chao Phraya Dam are expected to rise slightly. The Chao Phraya Dam has already increased its water discharge rate from 2,800 to 2,900 cubic meters per second to safely manage water levels, which are currently below the 2011 peak of 3,700 cubic meters per second. This coordinated water release aims to mitigate the impact on downstream areas by directing excess water to low-lying fields and the east and west banks.
The RID forecasts this will be the final flood of the 2025 rainy season, aided by the Meteorological Department’s prediction that northern rainfall will decrease starting November 13th as cold air from China moves into the region. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed relevant agencies to expedite relief efforts for flood-affected residents, particularly those impacted for over 30 days. Ad
ditionally, the government is formulating a plan to address recurring flooding sustainably in the upcoming dry season.