Kanchanaburi floods worsen as homes remain submerged by rising water
Kanchanaburi floods submerge homes in Dan Makham Tia, forcing residents to evacuate as Mae Klong Dam increases downstream releases.
- Severe flooding in Kanchanaburi's Dan Makham Tia district has submerged homes, some up to their rooftops, forcing residents to evacuate.
- The rising water is being exacerbated by the Mae Klong Dam, which has increased its downstream discharge to over 2,100 cubic metres per second.
- Authorities have issued the highest-level warning to people in low-lying areas, urging them to move their belongings to higher ground immediately.
- The risk of further flooding remains, with thunderstorms still forecast for the region.
Flooding in Kanchanaburi has reached a critical level, with large volumes of water inundating homes in the Tha Khoi area of Moo 2, Klondo subdistrict, Dan Makham Tia district, severely disrupting the lives of local residents.
According to the latest situation report at 8.40am on Wednesday (September 30), rapidly rising and fast-flowing water swept through low-lying areas, leaving several homes submerged up to their rooftops.
Residents rushed to gather essential belongings before evacuating to higher ground and designated safe areas.
Mae Klong Dam discharge rises above 2,100 cubic metres per second
The Royal Irrigation Department’s Regional Irrigation Office 13 reported that Mae Klong Dam in Tha Muang district, Kanchanaburi, had adjusted its water management operations to ensure the safety of the dam.
As of 9am on Wednesday, downstream discharge from the dam stood at 2,184 cubic metres per second.
The department estimates that the largest volume of water in the current wave could reach around 2,500 cubic metres per second. Officials are working to keep downstream discharge within a range of 2,300–2,400 cubic metres per second.
Authorities have issued the highest-level warning to people living along both sides of the river, in low-lying areas and near riverbanks, urging them to closely monitor water levels and move belongings to higher ground immediately.
Central region still faces rain risk
The Thai Meteorological Department reported that thunderstorms remain possible across around 30% of the Central region, with areas requiring close monitoring including Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram.
Temperatures across the region are forecast to range from lows of 22–25°C to highs of 33–35°C, with southerly winds of 10–20 kilometres per hour.
Residents in areas affected by water released downstream from Mae Klong Dam have been urged to follow official updates closely, avoid travelling through flooded routes and be prepared to evacuate immediately if water levels rise unusually quickly.
