People living on both sides of the Chao Phraya River in the central provinces of Ayutthaya and Ang Thong were told to brace for possible flooding as more water is being drained out of Chao Phraya dam in Chainat and Pasak Cholasit dam in Lop Buri province.
Ang Thong governor Veeravuth Putraseranee called an urgent meeting with relevant agencies on Wednesday to discuss measures to deal with possible flooding in Ang Thong, especially riverside areas, after more water was being drained out of the Chao Phraya dam.
Riverside residents as well as tourists on sightseeing tours in the Chao Phraya river have been warned to take precautions because of the rising water and strong currents.
Mr Bodang Thakaew, director of irrigation project in Ayutthaya province, said that the Pasak Cholasit dam is currently 32 percent full and still has more room to receive water.
But the water drainage out of the dam is a precautionary measure in anticipation of more water flowing into the dam in the coming weeks, he said, adding that the water discharged from the dam will not break river banks yet.
Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department has stepped up efforts to divert water into water catchment areas such as Bang Rakam in Bang Rakam district of Phitsanuloke and in Sam Ngam district of Phichit province.
The two catchment areas are expected to be flooded until early next year, said RID chief Thongplaew Kongchan.
