The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) warns four provinces in the Chao Phraya River basin—Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, and Chai Nat—to closely monitor water level rises of 0.70–1.70 meters. Coordination with Bangkok and regional DDPM centers is ongoing to provide 24-hour assistance to residents.
On 24 Sep 2026 GMT+7, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued a warning about rising water levels in the Chao Phraya River, especially in low-lying areas outside flood barriers in the provinces of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, and Chai Nat. The department coordinated with Bangkok to alert relevant agencies, riverside businesses, and residents along both banks of the river to prepare for the situation. Additionally, regional DDPM centers have been ordered to ready disaster machinery, operational vehicles, and personnel to support public assistance around the clock.
Mr. Theerapat Kachamat, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, stated that the department, acting as the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command (CDPMC), received an alert from the Royal Irrigation Department in their 5th Chao Phraya basin water situation notice dated 22 Sep 2026. Forecasts for the next 1–9 days indicate that on 23 Sep 2026, the C.2 station in Mueang Nakhon Sawan district, Nakhon Sawan province, will experience peak flow of about 1,800 cubic meters per second. Additionally, tributary inflows are expected to add 300–400 cubic meters per second, resulting in upstream flow at the Chao Phraya Dam of approximately 2,100–2,200 cubic meters per second, with irrigation intake on both sides at 400–450 cubic meters per second.
Therefore, it is necessary to release water downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam at 1,500–2,000 cubic meters per second, which will cause water levels to rise by approximately 0.70–1.70 meters in low-lying areas outside flood barriers, including:
To prepare for rising water levels and reduce impacts on residents, DDPM has instructed regional centers 1 (Pathum Thani), 2 (Suphan Buri), and 16 (Chai Nat) to hold War Room meetings to monitor weather and water conditions. They are to prepare disaster machinery, operational vehicles, and personnel to support their responsible provinces 24 hours a day. If the risk of disaster or expansion of the situation increases, Emergency Response Teams (ERT) with machinery and vehicles must be deployed to the provincial command centers.
Operations will be coordinated with provincial DDPM offices, including support for establishing and managing temporary shelters. If resources are insufficient, requests for support from nearby regional DDPM centers will be made. Public announcements advise residents living in low-lying areas outside flood barriers to monitor water levels and move belongings to higher ground to ensure safety.
Meanwhile, the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command has coordinated with Bangkok authorities to publicize warnings to relevant agencies, private sector operators along the Chao Phraya River—such as construction sites for embankments and riverside restaurants—and residents along both riverbanks to remain vigilant and closely monitor the situation. They are to prepare for possible rising water levels and, if severe conditions develop, follow directives and measures from the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command.
Finally, residents are urged to continuously follow weather updates, warnings, water situation reports, and official announcements. They can track alerts via the “THAI DISASTER ALERT” app, request assistance through the Line account “DDPM Incident Reporting 1784,” or call the 24-hour safety hotline 1784 for coordination of help.