BANGKOK, THAILAND — Meteorologists at the Thai Meteorological Department warned on 6 November 2024 that Typhoon Kalmaegi will strike the country between 7 and 9 November, bringing torrential rainfall across the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions. Director-General Chomparee Chompurat confirmed that conditions could trigger “FLASH FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES IN MULTIPLE PROVINCES.”
Dams at critical levels before storm arrival
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) reported on Tuesday, 5 November, that 68,500 million cubic metres of water—about 90 percent of total national reservoir capacity—was already stored in major and medium-sized dams. RID Director-General Prapit Chanmaha said that the Bhumibol, Sirikit, Kwae Noi Bamrung Daen, and Pa Sak Chonlasit dams in the Chao Phraya Basin were at 98 percent capacity, leaving barely 605 million cubic metres of buffer for new inflows. “ANY ADDITIONAL RAIN FROM KALMAEGI COULD FORCE EMERGENCY DISCHARGES,” he warned.
Emergency coordination led by Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister Thammanat Prompao, responsible for disaster management, has ordered nationwide coordination among irrigation and power agencies since Monday, 4 November. In Bangkok, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) adjusted dam discharge schedules to free space ahead of the storm. Over 100 high-capacity pumps and dozens of portable flood barriers have been stationed across low-lying districts in Ayutthaya, Lopburi, and Nakhon Sawan.
Northern and eastern provinces under direct threat
The Meteorological Department’s bulletin listed Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Chachoengsao, and Chanthaburi as provinces expecting daily rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres between Thursday and Saturday. Regional Director Somchai Reungpradit told reporters in Khon Kaen that “PEOPLE NEAR HILLSIDES MUST BE READY TO EVACUATE WITHIN MINUTES IF WARNING SIRENS SOUND.”
Residents prepare for evacuation
The RID public information office advised households in flood zones on 6 November to safeguard official documents, store three days’ supply of food and water, and follow updates via www.rid.go.th and wmsc.rid.go.th. In Nakhon Pathom, teams distributed 2,000 sandbags within 24 hours, while local volunteers inspected drainage canals every six hours. “WE EXPECT TO TEST THAILAND’S WATER MANAGEMENT CAPACITY LIKE NEVER BEFORE,” a senior RID engineer said in Bangkok.
Chronic flood risks in the Chao Phraya Basin
The Chao Phraya River Basin, home to more than 20 million residents, remains the focal point of concern. The basin’s irrigation network stretches over 20,000 square kilometres, and even small increases in inflow could overflow embankments along Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi. Hydrologist Kritsada Janviriyakorn stated on 6 November that every centimetre rise now equals 10 million cubic metres of new water. “IF INFLOWS EXCEED 1,000 MILLION CUBIC METRES DURING THE STORM, WE MAY SEE URBAN FLOODING IN BANGKOK’S NORTHERN SUBURBS,” he said.
Summary of official warnings
Officials have listed these priority measures before the 7–9 November weather system arrives:
– Lower reservoir levels by controlled discharge not exceeding 1,500 cubic metres per second.
– Activate flood pumps in 42 high-risk locations nationwide.
– Maintain 24-hour coordination between RID and EGAT control centres.
– Provide real-time updates through national broadcaster NBT Channel 11 every two hours.
By Wednesday night, 6 November, central agencies confirmed that all emergency crews were on standby in 30 provinces. Thammanat Prompao stated after an evening briefing that “WE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST TIME TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY BEFORE THE FIRST LANDFALL.”