BANGKOK – Severe flooding is escalating across central Thai provinces following a significant increase in water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam. The Royal Irrigation Department has raised the release rate to 2,700 cubic meters per second in response to heavy rainfall accumulating in northern river basins, a measure officials say is necessary but has triggered rapid overflow in downstream communities.

Floodwall Collapse Inundates Ang Thong Communities, Forces Evacuations

Thanet Somboon, Director of the RID’s Bureau of Water Management and Hydrology, stated that the department is striving to maintain this discharge level to minimize downstream impact while implementing a strategic diversion of water into upstream irrigation canals. This effort aims to mitigate further bank overflows ahead of the anticipated heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Kalmaegi.

In Ang Thong province, the situation turned critical this morning as anti-flood dikes in Pa Mok district collapsed, submerging over 500 homes within hours. Residents urgently moved possessions to higher ground as military personnel from a Lopburi-based unit conducted rescue operations, evacuating two elderly women, aged 98 and 96, from the rising waters. Local officials anticipate flood levels could surpass two meters.

Central Thailand Floods Worsen as Chao Phraya Boosts Discharge https://t.co/BVM1HRuonv @TNAMCOT pic.twitter.com/G3smwOImZD

— TNAMCOT English (@TNAMCOTEnglish) November 6, 2025

The crisis extends to Uthai Thani, where approximately 100 villagers from an ethnic minority community have been isolated since November 4th after flash floods destroyed their sole access bridge. Relief efforts have been severely hampered, forcing authorities to deliver essential supplies using ropes. The provincial governor has announced plans to install a temporary Bailey bridge within four to five days to restore access.

Severe Typhoon Kalmaegi Set to Lash Thailand with Torrential Rains and Flooding

Compounding the existing emergency, the Thai Meteorological Department has issued a severe weather warning as Typhoon Kalmaegi, packing winds of 150 kilometers per hour, approaches. The storm is forecasted to make landfall in central Vietnam before weakening and moving into Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province. Between November 7th and 9th, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted for 64 provinces, with nine, including Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, and Nakhon Ratchasima, at high risk of flash floods.

-Thailand News (TN)