The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has warned people to stay alert as the Mae Klong Dam has released more water in Kanchanaburi at a rate of 1,205 million cubic metres per second (m³/s). The water level in the Tha Chin River and Kra Siao stream is expected to rise from today till Saturday, it said.
Irrigation Office 13 sounded a public warning for those living along the Mae Klong River in Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram provinces to keep monitoring rising water levels.
The level in the Mae Klong River was measured at 2.9-3 metres above mean sea level with strong currents. Also, the high tide in the Gulf of Thailand in Samut Songkhram will increase the water level in the Mae Klong River.
Pitak Yuwanon, director of the Nakhon Pathom Irrigation Project, said heavy rains upstream of the Tha Chin River have caused high water levels in Kra Siao stream, which is now holding 311 million m³, equivalent to 104% of its normal water-storage capacity.
He said the RID has diverted the water from the river to Nakhon Pathom province at a rate of 477.07 million m³/s.
In Ubon Ratchathani, 19 districts have been inundated with over 46,000 people affected by the floods.
The governor, Chonlatee Yangtrong, said the water level in the Mun River basins was measured at 112m. It is predicted the water level will remain stable for a few days before dropping. According to the RID, the water level will reach its peak at 116.79m on Friday.
He added the floods have caused damage worth 5 billion baht. Locals say this year's floods are worse than in 2019.
Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Public Health Office has sent aid to flood victims in nine districts. More than 20,000 medicine kits have been distributed and eight rescue centres set up.
He said 482 teams were sent to visit flood victims and test the emotional well-being of 23,315 people. It was found that 3,194 have high-stress levels and 201 are depressed, with 10 considered suicidal.
All were taken care of by medical staff, he added.
Dr Monchai Wiwattanasittipong, director of Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani, said the hospital has prepared sandbags, a stable power supply, blood units, and water and gas in case of an emergency.
Flood victims in Ayutthaya's Bang Ban district pleaded for help from the King after living in inundated areas for two months, with water levels now reportedly higher than during the great flood of 2011.
