Bangkok:The Royal Irrigation Department has set up a Crisis Water Management Coordination Center 2026 following directives from Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul. The center aims to monitor and manage water levels in river basins, expedite drainage in flooded areas, and prepare for anticipated rainfall, particularly in southern regions.
According to Thai News Agency, Director-General Witthaya Kaewmee stated that the department is prioritizing rapid water management and public assistance. The department plans to issue continuous updates and warnings to keep the public informed and prepared for potential flooding.
The center will serve as a command hub to coordinate water management efforts, enabling timely decision-making and adjustments to plans. It will also focus on removing obstructions like water hyacinth and weeds to improve drainage efficiency, as instructed by Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
In the Chao Phraya River basin, water flow at station C.2 was recorded at 2,038 cubic meters per second, with the Chao Phraya Dam releasing water at 2,500 cubic meters per second. Despite decreasing levels in Nakhon Sawan, accumulated water upstream necessitates continued high flow rates through the dam, which may persist for 2-3 days barring further rainfall.
The Meteorological Department forecasts increased rainfall across Thailand from October 5-7, starting in northern regions, with further rain expected from October 9-13 in central, eastern, and southern areas. The southern region, particularly from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Narathiwat, is under close monitoring to manage reservoirs and irrigation systems and to prepare equipment and personnel for potential flooding.