Pathum Thani faces critical flood warning as Rangsit canal rises
Heavy rain and 28 million cubic metres of accumulated water have pushed Rangsit canal to red-alert level, threatening widespread flooding in Pathum Thani.
- Heavy rainfall and water runoff have pushed the Khlong Rangsit Prayunsak canal to a critical red-alert level of 1.80 meters, threatening widespread flooding.
- Authorities are on full alert, using pumps and accelerating water diversion through regulator gates to drain the canal towards the Gulf of Thailand.
- Several densely populated areas are already experiencing overflow, with floodwaters entering homes and reaching bed level in some communities.
- Local municipalities are installing flood barriers and have requested assistance from Bangkok to help drain the excess water.
Pathum Thani is facing a critical water situation after continued heavy rain and accumulated water flows pushed Khlong Rangsit Prayunsak to red-alert level, raising the risk of widespread flooding in economic areas and tens of thousands of homes in housing estates.
Rainfall in the area reached 90 millimetres, while 28 million cubic metres of water accumulated downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam over the past two to five days and flowed into Khlong Rapeephat and the drainage system.
The water level in Khlong Rangsit Prayunsak rose rapidly to 1.80 metres, prompting a red-flag warning.
Royal Irrigation Department Director-General Witthaya Kaewmee visited Irrigation Office 11 to monitor the situation with relevant agencies, including Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organisation chief Pol Lt Gen Khamronwit Thoopkrachang and the mayor of Rangsit City Municipality.
He ordered agencies to remain on full alert, accelerate water diversion through regulator gates and operate pumps to drain water towards the Gulf of Thailand.
A total of 20 pumps have been installed, with 11 in operation, as authorities seek to keep canal levels below 1.78 metres and reduce the impact in the Khlong Rangsit area.
Witthaya is scheduled to inspect water drainage at the Chao Phraya Dam, which is releasing water at 1,750 cubic metres per second, as well as water diversion through the Manorom regulator gate in Chai Nat towards the east to reduce downstream impacts along the Chao Phraya River.
Khamronwit said Khlong Luang, Rangsit City, Khukhot and Lat Sawai were among the areas of greatest concern as water had begun overflowing into densely populated communities.
He asked the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to consider raising its regulator gates slightly to help drain water affecting residents in Lam Luk Ka and Pathum Thani, while urging residents to closely follow updates.
Rangsit City Municipality Mayor Pol Lt Col Trirup Thoopkrachang said areas along Khlong Nueng had been severely affected, with water in some homes reaching bed level as canal levels rose above nearby roads.
The municipality is installing flood barriers, planning an earth embankment near Saphan Daeng and placing barriers at low points to prevent water from entering communities.
Trirup said the water level in the area had reached 1.72 metres, raising concerns that it could rise to 1.80 metres and cause further overflow into lanes and alleys.
Officials are operating pumps and monitoring conditions around the clock in an effort to bring the water level down as quickly as possible.
