Flooding Warnings Issued for Bangkok and 65 Provinces
Authorities in Thailand have issued warnings about potential flooding in Bangkok and 65 provinces from Friday to Sunday due to the approaching Storm Kalmaegi. The alert covers the capital city and 10 provinces in the Central Plains region, which are located along the fast-flowing Chao Phraya River.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported on Thursday that the Chao Phraya River was flowing at a rate of 3,050 to 3,250 cubic meters per second upstream from the Chao Phraya barrage in Chai Nat province. To manage the increased flow, the Royal Irrigation Department has raised the discharge rate at the barrage from 2,500 cu m/sec to 2,700 cu m/sec. This is significantly lower than the flow rate during the severe flooding in 2011, when the river passed through the barrage at 3,703 cu m/sec.
As a result, the water level downstream from the barrage is expected to rise by 60 to 90 centimeters in low-lying areas without embankments, according to the DDPM. These areas are particularly vulnerable and will require close monitoring.
In addition to Bangkok, flood warnings have been issued for several other provinces, including Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Nonthaburi. The focus of these warnings is on communities in low-lying areas that lack embankment protection.
The impact of Storm Kalmaegi is not limited to the capital and Central Plains regions. The Meteorological Department has warned that the typhoon, which is expected to weaken as it approaches northeastern Thailand, will affect a total of 65 provinces across the country. These include all provinces in the North, Northeast, Central Plains, and East, as well as some southern provinces on the west coast, near the Andaman Sea.
Typhoon Impacts Extend Beyond Thailand
The effects of Storm Kalmaegi have also been felt in neighboring Vietnam. As of Thursday afternoon, the Vietnamese government announced the closure of six airports in central regions due to the approaching typhoon. The affected airports include Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, Tuy Hoa, Chi Lai Phu Cat, and Lien Khuong. These closures are expected to disrupt hundreds of flights, causing significant travel disruptions.
The situation highlights the growing concern over the typhoon’s impact on both Thailand and Vietnam, as authorities work to prepare for potential flooding, infrastructure damage, and travel disruptions. Continuous monitoring and updates from meteorological and disaster management agencies are essential to ensure public safety and effective response measures.