‘No release of water’ from northern dams

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‘No release of water’ from northern dams

By THE NATION

 

 

THE ELECTRICITY Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) said yesterday it has not released water from Bhumibol and Sirikit dams since early this month, dismissing a rumour that the two major dams in the north had sent water downstream on the weekend, exacerbating flooding in Bangkok.

Social media users circulated misinformation saying that the Bhumibol Dam would release 100 million cubic metres of water into the Chao Phraya River per day. 

 

However, EGAT hydroelectric plants assistant-governor Natthawuth Jaemjaeng said the last release of water at both dams was on October 7. 

 

The amounts of water in Bhumibol and Sirikit dams as of Saturday were 9,238 million cubic metres (69 per cent of capacity) and 7,968 million cubic metres (84 per cent of capacity) respectively, he said. 

 

 

The dams could still take more water that would be stored for use during the next year’s drought season, he said.

 

The dam operator was quick to calm down public sentiment after people in the Chao Phraya basin said they feared further flooding in the capital. 

 

Heavy rain on Friday night and Saturday morning caused flash floods in 55 locations across Bangkok. 

 

Heavy rains during the monsoon season have flooded many areas in the country, notably in the North and Northeast regions. 

 

At least four landslides and five fallen trees have blocked Sri Wichai Road of Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai’s Muang district since yesterday morning, provincial disaster prevention and mitigation chief Pairin Limcharoen said.There have been no reports of injuries, missing persons or deaths related to the events.

 

Heavy rains caused many waterways to rise, sending floodwaters to various communities, Deep water also made a section of Doi Kham-Bang Pong road impassable for vehicles. 

 

Hang Dong district, a road section behind Phra That Doi Kham, was flooded.

 

The local authority in Phayao’s Muang municipality deployed more than 20,000 sandbags to build barricades to prevent flooding on major streets, according to Pirat Pimsarn, deputy mayor of the municipality.

 

Meanwhile, six reservoirs in northeastern Nakhon Panom province are already full beyond their capacity, with the risk of flooding if any more rain falls, according to the provincial irrigation office. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30329335

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-10-16

[eliotness]

The last paragraph says it all. Anymore rain and Bangkok will be swimming !

[Katipo]

14 minutes ago, eliotness said:

The last paragraph says it all. Anymore rain and Bangkok will be swimming !

The reservoirs in Nakhon Phanom feed in to the Mae Khong River. They don't come down to Bangkok.

 

It's the waters from the North and North West that can contribute to Bangkok's woes.