The prime minister has urged provincial governors and regulators nationwide to support for flooding following a sharp increase in rainfall in recent times and with forecasts forecasting more heavy rain throughout the month.
A significant amount of rain fell across the country in the last 24 hours, especially in the northern, northeastern, main, eastern and southwestern regions.
Nong Khai province was hardest hit with 164mm of rainfall, followed by Trat with 146mm, which saw water levels in major rivers rise significantly.
All reservoirs are at least 57% full, according to the Nationwide Water Command.
It said it is now closely checking the water situation within the Chao Phraya plus Mun river basins, as the Royal Irrigation Department is stepping up the discharge of water from the Chao Phraya Dam to 700–1, 100 cubic meters per second.
Federal government spokesman, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, said this will trigger the water level of the Chao Phraya Water to increase by about 0. 2–0. 8 metres, which may result in flooding in low-lying places not protected simply by flood dykes within Phra Nakhon Cuando Ayutthaya province.
Despite playing down the flood risk to local organizations, he said Best Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the Ministry of Interior and the governors associated with Ang Thong and Phra Nakhon Cuando Ayutthaya provinces to organize for possible flooding.
He also issued ton and bad climate warnings to governors elsewhere across the country.
“The best minister told these governors, who also act as directors from the Provincial Disaster Avoidance and Mitigation Department, in northern, northeastern, and central provinces to watch out for flash floods, while southern provinces should be wary of rough sea conditions, inch he said.
Meanwhile, the particular Meteorological Department warned people in the Northeast of flash surges, as 80% of the region is expected to be hit by heavy rain all through this month.