Thailand Prepares for Monsoon Season with Expedited Water Releases from Dams

Strategic Insights -

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has announced that by the end of this week, the monsoon trough will move down across the lower northern and central regions, resulting in scattered rainfall. In response, they will expedite the release of water from dams and rivers with high water levels, including the Sirikit Dam, which will increase its discharge rate by 50 million cubic meters per day starting September 4th. The Central Region Forward Water Management Center has also been established to monitor the situation in real time and coordinate drainage efforts. Water from the North will gradually converge in front of the Chao Phraya Dam in mid-September, prompting a gradual increase in water release from the Sirikit and Chao Phraya Dams to minimize impacts on downstream areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Royal Irrigation Department has announced that the monsoon trough will move down across the lower northern and central regions, resulting in scattered rainfall by the end of this week.
  • The Sirikit Dam will increase its discharge rate by 50 million cubic meters per day starting September 4th, while the Chao Phraya Dam will gradually increase its discharge rate to 1,500 cubic meters per second.
  • The Central Region Forward Water Management Center has been established to monitor the situation in real time and coordinate drainage efforts.
  • Water from the North will gradually converge in front of the Chao Phraya Dam in mid-September, prompting a gradual increase in water release from the Sirikit and Chao Phraya Dams to minimize impacts on downstream areas.
  • The continuous rainfall resulting from recent storms has resulted in large dams in the upper reaches reaching 85 percent of their capacity, with water being released from the Sirikit Dam at a rate of 25 million cubic meters per day (or 290 cubic meters per second).
  • The Royal Irrigation Department and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) have agreed to increase the release rate from the Sirikit Dam to 50 million cubic meters per day (or 580 cubic meters per second) between September 4-7.
  • The Chao Phraya Dam's water discharge will be increased to no more than 1,500 cubic meters per second, with the latest rate being 1,450 cubic meters per second.
  • The increased drainage will impact some low-lying areas in Ang Thong and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya provinces.
  • The Royal Irrigation Department has been instructed to continuously disseminate information to the public in advance.
  • The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) has established a "Temporary Frontline Water Management Center" in flood-prone areas of the Central Region to monitor the situation in real time, coordinate drainage, and provide timely assistance to the public.
  • Integrated water management in the entire Chao Phraya River Basin is essential to effectively control and integrate water management from upstream to downstream, minimizing damage.

Statistics:

  • The Sirikit Dam will increase its discharge rate by 50 million cubic meters per day starting September 4th.
  • The Chao Phraya Dam will gradually increase its discharge rate to 1,500 cubic meters per second.
  • The latest water discharge rate from the Sirikit Dam is 25 million cubic meters per day (or 290 cubic meters per second).
  • The Royal Irrigation Department and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) have agreed to increase the release rate from the Sirikit Dam to 50 million cubic meters per day (or 580 cubic meters per second) between September 4-7.
  • The Chao Phraya Dam's current water discharge rate is 1,450 cubic meters per second.
  • The capacity of the Sirikit Dam is currently at 85 percent.
  • The amount of water being released from the Sirikit Dam is expected to increase by 25 million cubic meters per day (or 290 cubic meters per second) starting September 4th.
  • The water discharge rate from the Chao Phraya Dam will be increased to 1,500 cubic meters per second.

Sources:

  • Thai News Agency
  • Royal Irrigation Department
  • Office of National Water Resources (ONWR)
  • Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)
  • Central Region Forward Water Management Center