Water run-off from the North recedes

The Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat is pictured. (Photo by Chudate Seehawong)

CHAI NAT -- The volume of water from the North has continued to decrease and, as a result, the water level below the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat is expected to stabilise, a Royal Irrigation Department official said on Sunday.

Suchart Charoensri, director of the 12th irrigation office in Chai Nat, said on Sunday morning that water was flowing past the water-measuring station in front of Chiraprawat military camp in Nakhon Sawan at the rate of 1,611 cubic metres per second.

The water on the upper part of the Chao Phraya Dam in tambon Bang Luang of Chai Nat's Sappaya district was 15.10 metres above mean sea level (MSL) and the dam was releasing water at the rate of 1,234 cubic metres per second.

As a result, he said, the water level below the dam will remain at 12.77m above MSL. The level in the Chao Phraya River from Chai Nat's Sapphaya district to Sing Buri province will remain stable.

Mr Suchart said people are advised to follow official announcements and not be panicked by rumours.

He said the volume of water flowing down from the North has begun to return to normal and can be diverted to both sides of the river for agriculture according to the Royal Irrigation Department's water management plan.