Bhumibol Dam. Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Heavy rains in northern Thailand have pushed water levels at Bhumibol Dam in Tak province perilously close to capacity, necessitating vigilant monitoring and reduced discharge to avert flooding downstream. Only 10% of the reservoir's space remains, equating to about 5 metres in depth before it’s full. Officials from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) convened on 6 October to assess the situation and plan for possible emergency measures.

 

In the past 24 hours, the dam's reservoir has experienced a substantial influx of 92.14 million cubic metres of water, primarily due to relentless rainfall in Chiang Mai province. This surge has elevated the reservoir level to 12.048 billion cubic metres, accounting for 89.5% of total capacity, with 8.248 billion cubic metres available for use. The present water level is at 255.37 metres above mean sea level, nearing the dam’s maximum of 260 metres.

 

Structural checks by Egat show no signs of damage or irregularities, confirming the dam's stability and capability to handle the current water volume. The discharge rate is set at 5 million cubic metres per day, aligning with the Royal Irrigation Department's guidelines to manage strain on the Chao Phraya River basin.

 

Meanwhile, in Uttaradit province, Sirikit Dam is also nearing its limits, holding 9.164 billion cubic metres or 96.36% of its capacity. Plans are in place to release 35 million cubic metres daily into the Nan River to control inflow.

 

Both Bhumibol and Sirikit dams are under constant surveillance as Thailand anticipates further rainfall in the coming days. Proximate communities are urged to stay vigilant and adhere to updates from local disaster prevention agencies.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Heavy rainfall has nearly filled Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams to capacity.
• Structural assessments confirm the dams' safety in managing current water levels.
• Authorities are regulating water discharge to prevent downstream flooding.
   

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-10-06

 

 

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Heavy rains in northern Thailand have pushed water levels at Bhumibol Dam in Tak province perilously close to capacity, necessitating vigilant monitoring and reduced discharge to avert flooding downstream.

So it's under control then?

No repeat of 2011. No sirree. This time there will be no orders from the outgoing government for water to be released when the new government comes in. Never happen.

Never want to see another 2011 again but if it keeps raining, there will be some

serious consequences with dams 95% full at present.

Just read some stories about the timeline of 2011.

Bhumibol was near full in June(!).

The current numbers are far from the catastrophic year 2011.

It would be unlucky if another big typhoon would hit until end of the month.

In 2011 it lasted long into November until it was certain that central Bangkok would not be flooded.

Thailand does seem to have serious, and chronic, problems with water management. It's always floods or (water) famine here.....

 

Time to reinvest in an extensive khong system again.

Build more khlongs instead of cementing them over.