AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND – A severe flood has inundated the historic province of Ayutthaya, submerging 11 districts and affecting 46,273 households; eight people have died.
Dam release sends massive flows downstream
The catastrophe was triggered by large discharges from the Chao Phraya dam in Chai Nat, which released water at a rate of approximately 2,300 cubic metres per second. These volumes pushed downstream along the Chao Phraya River and its tributaries, overwhelming flood defences and inundating low-lying areas throughout the province.
Scale and areas affected
Authorities report that 11 districts are affected, including Sena, Phak Hai, Bang Ban, Bang Sai and the historic capital area of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. In Bang Ban district alone, 101 villages across 16 tambons have been flooded, impacting 6,425 households. Aerial images show entire communities submerged, resembling a vast inland lake.
Human toll and infrastructure damage
The confirmed death toll stands at eight, with fatalities reported in Sena, Bang Ban and Bang Sai districts. The floods have also inundated 33 schools, two mosques and 38 temples. Fifty-eight local roads are impassable, and roughly 390 rai of agricultural land — primarily rice paddies and other crops — have been destroyed.
Water levels, living conditions and access
Although water levels have fallen by roughly 5–10 centimetres in some places, many communities remain under two to three metres of water. Homes are submerged to ground-floor level or partially underwater. Local roads have become waterways, forcing residents to rely on boats for movement and basic supplies. Continuous rain and upstream inflows mean large areas may remain flooded for an extended period.
Response and ongoing challenges
Emergency services and provincial authorities are coordinating rescue and relief operations, but the scale of the disaster presents major logistical and long-term reconstruction challenges. Immediate priorities include search and rescue, medical assistance, provision of clean water and restoring access to isolated communities. Longer-term tasks will involve repairing infrastructure, rehabilitating farmland and reinforcing flood protection measures.
Outlook
For the 46,273 affected households, recovery will be a prolonged struggle. Officials warn that seasonal rains and continued upstream discharges could prolong flooding in some districts. Ayutthaya, a province accustomed to seasonal high water, now faces one of its most destructive flood events in recent memory.
Source: Bangkok Post