Bangkok residents living by the Chao Phraya river are advised to brace today for possible swelling and ensuing flash floods, as water reaches a critical level as it travels southward to the capital.

Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut, citing the latest flood level update from irrigation resources, said the influx of water would reach 3,900 cubic metres per second while the Chao Phraya’s critical level was at 3,720.

He said the ministry was considering building a Bt10-billion flood way to divert more water to sea outlets through the Chao Phraya dam bypassing Tha Chin River and Makham Thao canal in Chaiyanat and Uthai Thani provinces.

Read more: The Nation