BANGKOK, THAILAND – Authorities across Thailand raced to prevent major flooding after the Royal Irrigation Department reported 23 dams at or above critical capacity, forcing emergency water discharges and mass evacuations in Sing Buri Province.
National flood emergency declared
Officials from the Royal Irrigation Department in Bangkok confirmed on Monday that 23 large dams across the country had reached dangerous levels. The Mae Ngat Sombun Chon Dam in Chiang Mai recorded 102.46% capacity, while the Kiew Kho Ma Dam in Lampang exceeded 115.30%.
“We must urgently release water to ensure safety,”
said Royal Irrigation Department spokesperson.
Emergency operations began late Sunday as engineers opened sluice gates to relieve overflow. Hydrologists warned that downstream communities could experience additional pressure as upstream reservoirs discharged excess water at record rates.
Sing Buri hit by overnight embankment collapse
In Sing Buri Province, a breach occurred in the early hours, tearing a hole in an embankment near Ban Bang Krabue. Local responders said floodwaters struck three villages—Ban Bang Khae Nai, Ban Bang Khae Nok, and Ban Bang Krabue—prompting full evacuation.
“The water came from below, suddenly and with enormous force,”
said an eyewitness in Sing Buri.
By 03:30 local time, Mayor Narongsak Wingwon and Governor Sombat Traisak arrived at the breach site as rescuers and firefighters attempted to hold back the surge. Officials built a temporary wall of sandbags at the Bang Rachan Bridge.
“If the water breaks through here, the Sing Buri city centre will be flooded,”
said the on-site operations leader.
Rapid response at Chao Phraya Dam
At the Chao Phraya Dam, engineers raised the outflow to 2,900 cubic metres per second to relieve upstream pressure. The decision triggered what experts described as a “chain reaction” of downstream flooding risk throughout the Chao Phraya River Basin. Emergency workers monitored conditions around key levees in Ang Thong, Chainat, and Ayutthaya Provinces.
“The situation is out of control,”
said Sing Buri provincial authorities.
Farmers brace for massive losses
The Meteorological Department in Bangkok confirmed that Typhoon Fung-wong no longer posed a direct threat, but warned of isolated thunderstorms in central and northern regions.
“Isolated thunderstorms remain possible,”
said the Thai Meteorological Department.
Floodwaters already submerged extensive farmland across the lower north and central plains, leaving millions of baht in estimated damages. Agricultural officers in Lop Buri and Nakhon Sawan dispatched inspection teams to assess submerged rice fields and livestock losses.
Nation braces for critical 48 hours
Late-night briefings at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in Bangkok emphasized that the next 48 hours would determine whether containment lines could hold. Officials instructed regional offices to inspect all primary embankments and coordinate potential relocation of residents near key waterways.
“We are monitoring the situation closely,”
said Royal Irrigation Department spokesperson.
Emergency centres in Sing Buri, Ayutthaya, and Pathum Thani prepared contingency shelters for potential overflow. Authorities warned that failing levees could compound flooding already described as one of Thailand’s largest challenges in recent years.
– 23 dams at critical or overflowing capacity
– Mae Ngat Sombun Chon Dam at 102.46%
– Kiew Kho Ma Dam at 115.30%
– Chao Phraya Dam discharge: 2,900 m³/s
– Three Sing Buri villages evacuated overnight
– Millions of baht in agricultural damage
Hydrological experts from the Royal Irrigation Department continued round-the-clock monitoring as Thailand faced its most severe water management crisis in years.