File photo for reference only

 

Major dams across Thailand have been ordered to accelerate water releases to prepare for expected storms in late September and early October. The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) warned of possible overflow in the Chao Phraya River due to anticipated heavy rainfall. The decision aims to make room for the significant inflows predicted from one or two storms.

 

The move follows a meeting held by ONWR with government agencies to devise strategies for managing the potential impacts on river basins in the Northeast and Central regions. During the meeting, basin-specific water management plans were laid out to address the current and expected water levels.

 

In the Chi–Mun Basin, Ubolratana Dam, which is at 67% capacity, will increase its release rate to 20 million cubic meters per day. Similarly, reservoirs in the Khong Basin, such as Huay Luang and Nam Oon, are nearing full capacity and will also see increased release rates. The Chao Phraya Basin is seeing a flow rate of 2,200 cubic meters per second, with Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams releasing significant amounts to mitigate the risk of flooding.

 

ONWR Secretary-General Dr. Surasee Kittimonthol announced the formation of a national water management command center to enhance monitoring and response coordination. The initiative comes amid reports from the Meteorological Department about a low-pressure system in the South China Sea, which could potentially intensify and impact Thailand's weather.

 

Key Takeaways

• Dams are releasing more water to prepare for upcoming storms.
• ONWR is coordinating with agencies to manage water flow across regions.
• Monitoring systems are in place to assess storm developments.

 

Related Stories:

NWRO Readies Sirikit Dam to Prevent Flash Floods

Flash Floods Hit Pattaya, Stranding Tourists and Halting Traffic

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-09-16

 

 

 

saraphi was really badly flooded when they release

They really never think a week ahead...Every year the same problems, no investments of preventing floods or open the dams so that they can contain more water. And always last minute thinking, which cost a lot of money

The timing and degree of release will be critical. I hope they get it right this year.

43 minutes ago, bg53 said:

The timing and degree of release will be critical. I hope they get it right this year.

They have opened the gates at the Passack Dam in Lopburi province; they did that at this time of year, a few years ago, then the rains stopped at the end of September, the dam was not full.

Fast forward to the hot season, the dam level dropped, the few farmers who needed water for their crops, found there was not enough water in the dam.

It seems that they just panic when the rains come, some flooding, so just open the dam gates, Thai saying Har -Whun-Ginn-Whun ,Think one day at a time, is true.

13 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

They really never think a week ahead...Every year the same problems, no investments of preventing floods or open the dams so that they can contain more water. And always last minute thinking, which cost a lot of money

Drought or floods, Thailands annual cycle.

An interesting but unrewarding job. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Just the other day there was a report on here that the Government

was going to do aerial seeding to fill the dams up to prevent drought,

now they are letting water out as dams too full , that's confusing .....

 

regards Worgeordie

FYI. The Bhumibol dam is releasing more water meaning a large amount of electricity is being generated. The Ping River here in Kamp Phang is the highest I have seen this year. If more rain comes and Bhumibol is spinning all 8 turbines now and water goes to the overflow, then Nakhon Sawan and to the South are going to need boats again.

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

Major dams across Thailand have been ordered to accelerate water releases to prepare for expected storms in late September and early October. The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) warned of possible overflow in the Chao Phraya River due to anticipated heavy rainfall. The decision aims to make room for the significant inflows predicted from one or two storms.

 

The move follows a meeting held by ONWR with government agencies to devise strategies for managing the potential impacts on river basins in the Northeast and Central regions. During the meeting, basin-specific water management plans were laid out to address the current and expected water levels.

 

In the Chi–Mun Basin, Ubolratana Dam, which is at 67% capacity, will increase its release rate to 20 million cubic meters per day. Similarly, reservoirs in the Khong Basin, such as Huay Luang and Nam Oon, are nearing full capacity and will also see increased release rates. The Chao Phraya Basin is seeing a flow rate of 2,200 cubic meters per second, with Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams releasing significant amounts to mitigate the risk of flooding.

 

ONWR Secretary-General Dr. Surasee Kittimonthol announced the formation of a national water management command center to enhance monitoring and response coordination. The initiative comes amid reports from the Meteorological Department about a low-pressure system in the South China Sea, which could potentially intensify and impact Thailand's weather.

 

Key Takeaways

• Dams are releasing more water to prepare for upcoming storms.
• ONWR is coordinating with agencies to manage water flow across regions.
• Monitoring systems are in place to assess storm developments.

 

Related Stories:

NWRO Readies Sirikit Dam to Prevent Flash Floods

Flash Floods Hit Pattaya, Stranding Tourists and Halting Traffic

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-09-16

 

 

The Chao Praya water level is very high at Bang Pho; also some piers are inaccessible due to high water levels.  So hope they have all their flodd preparations ready to deal with this.

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

Just the other day there was a report on here that the Government

was going to do aerial seeding to fill the dams up to prevent drought,

now they are letting water out as dams too full , that's confusing .....

 

regards Worgeordie

Certain areas not getting enough rain, and other areas getting too much which goes into the catchments so downstream danger of flooding.

...Earlier This Year...Several Billion Baht Were 'Allocated'...With A Promise To 'Correct' The Flooding Phenomenon... (?)

 

...What Happened To All That Money... (?)