BANGKOK, Thailand – Authorities have widened flood warnings to provinces along the Chao Phraya River, plus Phetchaburi, Chachoengsao and the South, as accumulated water and fresh rainfall keep the crisis alive despite receding levels in the Mae Klong and Chao Phraya basins.

Thai PM Orders 76 Provinces To Prepare For Rain

Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said Phetchaburi faces risk from Kaeng Krachan dam releases, with more rain forecast for the province and neighbouring Prachuap Khiri Khan next weekend. That expected downpour on Saturday could also threaten southern provinces and Chachoengsao, just east of Bangkok. The Chao Phraya barrage in Chai Nat was discharging 2,500 cubic metres per second on Sunday, with residents of Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan urged to follow official updates closely as parts of those provinces remain underwater.

In the Mae Klong basin, alerts cover Bang Khonthi and Amphawa districts of Samut Songkhram, where flooding persists but is being drained. Motorists in Bangkok were advised to avoid Chao Khun Thahan, Chalong Krung, Luang Phaeng and Lat Krabang roads, while Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul warned of possible heavy rain in the South all week.

Rare Hail Falls Over Bangkok as Storms Sweep the Capital

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said flooding remains in Bangkok and 27 provinces — Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ang Thong, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum and Surin. Director-general Nirat Pongsitthithaworn said about 3.26 million people have been affected, blaming heavy rain and runoff from the North, with 31 deaths recorded since 16 September, including four in the capital.

-Thailand News (TN)