BANGKOK: The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has warned of isolated heavy rain in upper Thailand from Oct14–16 as reservoirs hold 82% of their combined capacity, with some water-storage facilities already above normal capacity.
In its water situation report for Tuesday (Oct13), ONWR urged people to monitor heavy rainfall, particularly in western parts of the North and Central region and parts of the East. The South is also expected to see isolated heavy rain.
Rain increased across Thailand on Oct 13, with heavy falls forecast particularly in the lower Northeast, lower Central region, Bangkok and surrounding provinces, the East and the upper South.
During the preceding 24 hours, the highest regional rainfall was recorded in Krabi at 158 millimetres, followed by Chonburi at 100mm, Phichit at 52mm, Ratchaburi at 41mm, Nakhon Phanom at 40mm and Samut Sakhon at 5mm.
As of Oct 12, reservoirs across the country contained a combined 66.047 billion cubic metres of water, equivalent to 82% of total storage capacity.
Of that amount, 41.938 billion cubic metres, or 74%, was classified as usable water.
The West had the highest storage level at 27.264 billion cubic metres, or 96% of capacity, followed by the East at 2.729 billion cubic metres, or 88%.
Northern reservoirs held 20.977 billion cubic metres, or 76%, while the Northeast had 8.406 billion cubic metres, or 70%.
The Central region held 1.299 billion cubic metres, or 69%, with the South also at 69%, or 5.371 billion cubic metres.
Three major reservoirs supplying the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) were also at high levels.
Nong Pla Lai Reservoir contained 172 million cubic metres, or 105% of its storage capacity, after receiving inflows of 1.06 million cubic metres while releasing 1.30 million cubic metres.
Prasae Reservoir held 267 million cubic metres, or 91%, while Bang Phra Reservoir contained 100 million cubic metres, or 85%.
ONWR warns of heavy rain as Thai reservoirs reach 82% capacity
In the Chao Phraya Basin, the dam was releasing 1,900 cubic metres of water per second as of 6am on Oct 13.
The upstream water level stood at 16.02 metres above mean sea level, while the downstream level was 14.36m above mean sea level.
At station C.2 in Mueang Nakhon Sawan, water was flowing at 1,813 cubic metres per second. The level stood at 22.22m above mean sea level, or 3.48m below the riverbank.
At station P.17 in Banphot Phisai, the water level was 35.02m above mean sea level, 3.23 metres below the riverbank, and was stable.
At station N.67 in Chum Saeng, the level stood at 24.92m above mean sea level, or 3.29m below the riverbank, and was falling.
Although levels at all three monitoring stations remained below their banks, ONWR warned that isolated heavy rain from Oct 14–16 could add pressure to water-management operations in upper Thailand.
Authorities are also continuing to monitor heavy rainfall in parts of the South as reservoir levels remain high in several regions. - The Nation/ANN
