People living outside the protection of floodwalls in Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, Ang Thong and Chainat provinces have been advised to prepare for rising floodwaters, as the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) will gradually, starting at 4pm today, increaseg the rate of discharge through the Chao Phraya Dam, from 2,800m3/s to a maximum of 2,900m3/s by 2am tomorrow morning.
The RID says it will maintain the rate at 2,900m3/s until further notice.
Areas expected to be affected are:
· Ayutthaya: Klong Bang Ban of Hu Wiang sub-district and Ban Krathum sud-district in Sena district; Lat Chit and Tha Dindaeng sub-districts in Phak Hai district; Ban Kum sub-district in Bang Ban district; Ban Po sub-district in Bang Pa-in district; and Pratuchai sub-district in Muang district.
· Sing Buri: Wat Singh in In Buri district, Muang and Phrom Buri districts; Wat Sua Kham and In Buri sub-districts in In Buri district.
· Ang Thong: Klong Pong Peng in Pa Moke district; Thevaraj sub-district in Chaiyo district; Ban Sue, Ban Hae, Champa Lor, Wisit Chaicharn, Po Rang Nok, Bo Rae, Bang Rakam and Ong Kharak sub-districts in Pho Thong district.
· Chainat: Taluk, Hat Arsa and Sapphaya sub-districts in Sapphaya district.
Meanwhile, the Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department is advising people in Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi to brace for flooding this week, due to the increased discharge rate.
Motorists are asked to avoid using U-turns under bridges. Overflows from the swollen Chao Phraya River have already inundated Nakhon In and Rama V roads in Nonthaburi, forcing traffic police to divert motorists onto other routes.
Sandbags are forming a floodwall, from the Nonthaburi provincial hall to Bang Kwang prison.
Overflows from the Mae Klong River have flooded the Amphawa floating market in Samut Songkhram province.
