Residents along the Noi River in Ayutthaya are severely impacted as water levels surged dramatically overnight. Where they once waded through water, they now have to travel by boat. There are fears the roads could become impassable, prompting urgent calls to manage water before further increases in discharge.
On 23 Sep 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that the water situation in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province remains concerning after the Chao Phraya Dam continuously increased water discharge downstream. The latest discharge rate reached 1,620 cubic meters per second, causing water levels in the Chao Phraya River, Noi River, and various canals to rise rapidly, with some locations seeing nearly a one-meter increase.
At Bang Luang Canal, also called Phong Pheng Canal, in Ban Bang Luang Do, Bang Ban District, water levels rose 79 centimeters. Meanwhile, the Noi River near Hua Wiang Bridge, Hua Wiang Subdistrict, Sena District, increased by 57 centimeters. In front of Sena Market, water levels rose 44 centimeters from the previous day, currently about 0.39 meters below the riverbank, with levels continuing to rise.
At 09:00, reporters visited the riverside community at Moo 5, Ban Krathum Subdistrict, Sena District, finding water levels had risen rapidly overnight, affecting residents’ daily lives and parcel delivery workers who normally access riverside homes, though many areas were now inaccessible by usual means.
Mr. Weerawat, 50, a parcel delivery worker, said deliveries have been clearly impacted, especially to homes along the Noi River, which are now nearly all flooded. Whereas previously he could drive to deliver, he now cannot reach customers’ homes and must notify them by phone so residents can come by boat to collect parcels, increasing delivery time.
Mr. Weerawat added that riverside areas in Moo 2, 3, 4, and 5 are widely flooded, requiring adjustments to delivery methods. Understanding these riverside zones serve as flood storage areas, he noted that yesterday he could still drive in, but today many locations are inaccessible by vehicle.
Ms. Ratchanee Putthisarn, 59, a resident of Moo 5, Ban Krathum Subdistrict, with a house along the Noi River, said that yesterday the area was only damp, but this morning water levels rose so much that residents now have to use boats to get around. Although her house is elevated, it is still affected by flooding. She admitted she did not expect the rapid overnight rise, as the flood arrived earlier than forecast this year.
Ms. Ratchanee said villagers prepared by moving belongings to higher ground, but some could not relocate items in time due to the overnight water rise. Water started flooding vehicle tires, prompting urgent efforts to move vehicles out of flooded areas.
Residents want authorities to manage and speed up water drainage into flood retention fields before homes are further affected. They worry that if discharge increases again, water might rise high enough to flood roads, severely impacting community access. They noted that yesterday they could still wade through ankle-deep water, but overnight the water rose so much they now must use boats for travel.
