Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

In anticipation of impending heavy rains, Thailand's Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has increased water release from the Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province. This move aims to manage reservoir levels effectively, crucial as the dam's capacity has exceeded 80%.

 

The push for accelerated discharge stems from tropical storm Wipha, which has significantly increased inflow levels. Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, who chairs the National Water Resources Committee, noted the dam's strategic role in controlling water flow to prevent flooding downstream, particularly in the Yom River Basin.

 

With rainfall decreasing in upper regions, river levels have begun to fall, easing flood conditions in the Yom-Nan basins. In response, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) has gradually ramped up the dam's water release, reaching 45 million cubic metres per day by 4th August. This is set to increase to 50 million cubic metres until mid-August.

 

The initiative aims to create buffer capacity for upcoming rains, while a government-led effort ensures rigorous monitoring and adjustment of water management plans to prioritise public safety both upstream and downstream.

 

Currently, water discharged from Sirikit Dam has reached Phitsanulok and is expected in Nakhon Sawan within days. Authorities assure that this will not impact the Chao Phraya barrage, which manages water flow to the Central Plains and Bangkok.

 

Nevertheless, with forecasts predicting more rain in the North, residents downstream of the Chao Phraya are urged to safeguard belongings against potential flooding.

 

To enhance efficiency, a specialised subcommittee is analysing weather and water levels, ensuring optimal reservoir management throughout the rainy season. Nationally, large and medium reservoirs hold 50.2 billion cubic metres – 66% of their capacity – with space for an additional 26.2 billion cubic metres.

 

In the Chao Phraya Basin alone, the four key dams hold 17 billion cubic metres, representing 69% of their capacity. Recent rains have pushed Sirikit Dam levels past 80%, prompting the increased discharge of 45–50 million cubic metres daily. Authorities stress this adjustment will not endanger downstream communities.

 

As Thailand braces for further rain, vigilance and strategic water management remain paramount in safeguarding regions from flooding, while ensuring efficient use of reservoir resources. The actions taken underscore the delicate balance between harnessing and controlling natural water flows in face of unpredictable weather patterns.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-06

 

I'd better get the Bangkok river level thread out of mothballs.

 

 

 

Early discharge is sometimes appreciated by the locals

1 minute ago, hotchilli said:

Early discharge is sometimes appreciated by the locals

Is this barspeak regarding incarceration?

or are we thinking bodily functions of some sort.

 

1 minute ago, Muhendis said:

Is this barspeak regarding incarceration?

or are we thinking bodily functions of some sort.

 

Early water release to prevent flooding

3 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Early water release to prevent flooding

Do you think we will at last be entering the rainy season?

My paddies are looking very deserty at the moment.

Water management in a geography such as Thailand's - you're hung if you do and you're hung if you don't.

 

Takes people with long-term experience to make the right decisions in the north, but even then there's no guarantees.

People tend to ignore water with little respect until you watch your house float away

 

The Thais ability to control Thailand's wet season  of excessive water and still supply water to the fields four months into the dry season through reservoirs and interconnecting canals is nothing short of engineering genius just watch this video of a 75 + year old  controlled canal meandering along a road through foothills, over ravines and under rivers, spanning from the Yom River Weir to well past city of Phrae almost 40  kilometers away.  Maybe a boring video to some, but filmed in 4k and to those that wonder how do they do that, is an interesting twisting journey.          https://youtu.be/c5BtoeZ3coY

18 hours ago, Crossy said:

I'd better get the Bangkok river level thread out of mothballs.

 

 

 

 

Thanks...been looking for this for some time!

To the ladies "get your Burberry boots out again" 😉 

 

Get your measuring stick out Mr. Crossy. We got rain of biblical proportions today.

Depends where you are. In Udon Thani, we had a lot of rain in May-to July, ponds all in overflow. Now its August, height of the wet season, and in the last week just one short shower.... been looking for the watering cans that were not needed once in 3 months!