RID opens 24-hour flood crisis centre as southern Thailand braces for rain

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has established a 24-hour crisis coordination centre to manage flood conditions, accelerate drainage and prepare for another round of heavy rain, with southern Thailand under particularly close watch.

The move follows instructions from Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who ordered agencies to intensify water management and provide full assistance to flood-affected communities while preparing for further rainfall in several parts of the country.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has also instructed the RID to closely monitor water conditions, accelerate drainage from areas where flooding persists, and deploy machinery, equipment and personnel to affected communities.

Crisis centre to monitor Chao Phraya and Pasak basins

On October 4, Witthaya Kaewmee, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, chaired an urgent meeting in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, to review flooding and water management in the Chao Phraya basin.

The meeting was linked by video conference to irrigation projects in affected areas, allowing officials to assess conditions and plan water management measures.

Witthaya ordered the establishment of the 2026 Water Management Coordination Centre for Crisis Situations, which will serve as the central command point for coordinating and accelerating water management during the emergency.

The centre will closely assess changing conditions, adjust water-management plans as needed and provide continuous public information and warnings to people in risk areas.

Chao Phraya Dam maintains discharge at 2,500 cu m/s

As of 7pm on October 4, water flow at the C.2 station in Nakhon Sawan stood at 2,078 cubic metres per second, with levels beginning to decline steadily.

The Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat continued to discharge water at 2,500 cubic metres per second.

Water is also being diverted into irrigation systems on both the eastern and western sides of the Chao Phraya basin to reduce the volume moving downstream.

Although flows from some upstream areas have begun to fall, large volumes of water continue to arrive above the dam, where accumulated water remains high.

The RID said any further increase in discharge would therefore be carried out gradually to control upstream levels while limiting the impact on downstream communities.

Pasak Jolasid Dam releases 450 cu m/s

In the Pasak basin, Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lopburi was releasing water at 450 cubic metres per second.

Officials are monitoring reservoir inflows, rainfall forecasts and downstream conditions to adjust releases and ensure sufficient space for additional incoming water.

At Rama VI Dam, flows were about 662 cubic metres per second.

Water management is being coordinated across the entire system, from Pasak Jolasid Dam and Rama VI Dam to the Rapeephat Canal, taking into account local rainfall and the capacity of downstream areas to receive water.

Machinery deployed to drain flooded areas

The RID has deployed pumps, water-propulsion machines, excavators and other equipment to low-lying areas and communities where floodwater remains.

Officials have also been sent to accelerate drainage from residential and agricultural areas.

Water hyacinths, weeds and other obstructions are being cleared from floodgates, pumping stations and irrigation canals to improve water flow and drainage efficiency.

South on alert for new round of heavy rain

Weather forecasts for October 4–7 and October 9–13 indicate continued rainfall in several parts of Thailand.

Rain is expected across the North, Northeast, East and parts of the Central region, while the South faces a greater risk of heavy rainfall and high accumulated precipitation, increasing the danger of flash floods and forest runoff.

Anutin has instructed agencies to prepare in advance, particularly in areas stretching from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Narathiwat.

The RID said preparations include round-the-clock monitoring of rainfall and river levels, adjusting reservoir and irrigation-system levels to create capacity for new inflows, inspecting floodgates and other irrigation structures, and positioning pumps, machinery and personnel at high-risk locations.

The department said it would continue monitoring water conditions 24 hours a day and mobilise available resources to minimise the impact of flooding and provide assistance when needed.