The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) is coordinating with 10 central provinces and Bangkok to monitor the rising water levels of the Chao Phraya River after the Royal Irrigation Department plans to increase water discharge downstream of the dam. This particularly concerns low-lying areas outside flood barriers in six districts of Ayutthaya Province. Authorities are preparing for a water level increase of 0.30–0.40 meters and are ready to assist residents around the clock.
On 11 Nov 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Nirat Pongsitthaworn, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and Director of the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Operations Center, stated that DDPM has been monitoring weather conditions and risk factors. The Royal Irrigation Department issued its 8th warning about the Chao Phraya River basin situation, forecasting that on 12 Nov 2026 at station C.2 in Mueang Nakhon Sawan District, Nakhon Sawan Province, the maximum water flow will be approximately 1,000–1,125 cubic meters per second.
It is also forecasted that the water volume from tributaries will be around 180–200 cubic meters per second. This results in an upstream flow at the Chao Phraya Dam between 1,180–1,325 cubic meters per second, with irrigation systems on both sides receiving 400–500 cubic meters per second.
Due to this situation, it is necessary to discharge water through the downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam at rates of 700–1,000 cubic meters per second. This will cause water levels to rise by approximately 0.30–0.40 meters above current levels in low-lying areas outside the flood barriers as follows.
These areas include Sena District, Phak Hai District, Bang Ban District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Bang Pa-in District, and Bang Sai District in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. This increase will not affect residential communities.
The Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Operations Center (CDPMOC) has coordinated with 10 central provinces—Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan—as well as Bangkok. They have publicized warnings to relevant agencies, private sector businesses operating along the Chao Phraya River such as riverbank protection construction and restaurants, and residents living along both banks of the Chao Phraya and Noi Rivers to closely monitor the water situation and prepare for possible water level increases.
If severe conditions develop, provinces are urged to coordinate with local authorities and relevant agencies to inspect flood barriers, prepare equipment and disaster machinery, deploy staff to monitor the situation, and be ready to assist residents 24 hours a day. Public awareness campaigns should be widely conducted through various channels to reach all population groups.
Residents are advised to closely follow official information and warnings, prepare for rising water levels especially those living in low-lying areas outside flood barriers, and move belongings to higher ground if necessary. Those affected by disasters can report incidents and seek help via the "DDPM Incident Reporting 1784" Line account (Line ID @1784DDPM) and the 24-hour emergency hotline 1784.
Information sourced from the Facebook page of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).