BANGKOK — Tropical Depression Kalmaegi, which left hundreds dead across the Philippines and Vietnam earlier this week, moved into Thailand on Friday morning, bringing heavy rain and flooding to several regions as authorities scrambled to deploy water pumps across Bangkok.
The storm, downgraded from a deadly typhoon after striking the Philippines and central Vietnam, entered Thailand through Sirindhorn district in Ubon Ratchathani province before moving westward across Si Sa Ket, where its center was located Friday morning.
Meteorologists said Kalmaegi is expected to weaken further into a low-pressure system in the coming days.
Thailand’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) were placed on high alert, as the Meteorological Department warned of intense rainfall from November 7–8 across the Northeast, Central, and Northern regions.
Heavy Rainfall and Risk Zones
Meteorological Department Director-General Dr. Sukanyanee Yawincharn said areas at highest risk of rainfall exceeding 90 millimeters include lower northeastern provinces such as Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Other parts of the country — including the North, Central, East, South, and the Bangkok metropolitan area — could experience 35–90 millimeters of rainfall, she added.
Emergency operation centers nationwide have prepared flood-relief machinery including water pumps, rescue boats, and 24-hour response teams.
Bangkok on Pump Power
Bangkok Permanent Secretary Narong Ruangsri said the capital faces the dual challenge of torrential rains and rising river and sea levels. The RID has increased water discharge from the Chao Phraya Basin, while the Royal Thai Navy’s Hydrographic Department has warned of high tides from November 5–14.
“We must admit that Bangkok is surviving because of its water pumps,” said RID Water Management Director Thanes Somboon. “This year’s water volume is not as severe as in 2011, but the pumps are working hard because the city is being hit by three sources of water at once — rainwater, runoff from the north, and tidal surges.”
Thanes added that northern runoff will not cause major flooding in Bangkok, but localized flooding from rainfall could submerge areas for three to five hours. The RID has raised the discharge rate at the Chao Phraya Dam from 2,700 to 2,800 cubic meters per second. As of early November, Thailand’s major reservoirs collectively held 63.9 billion cubic meters of water — about 90% of their total capacity.
Central Plains Tensions Rise
In Ayutthaya province, residents in eight flood-prone districts — including Sena, Bang Ban, and Phak Hai — staged a road blockade Friday to demand faster drainage after more than 30,000 households were inundated and 11 people died in recent floods.
The protest prompted the Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office to intervene. Authorities eventually agreed to open water gates by 80%, easing tensions temporarily. However, residents vowed to keep pressing for a sustainable flood management plan, saying they suffer yearly inundations from dam discharges diverted away from industrial zones.
Storm’s Path Through the Region
Earlier, the Associated Press reported that Typhoon Kalmaegi had killed at least five people and caused widespread damage in Vietnam after leaving nearly 190 dead and 135 missing in the Philippines. The storm’s remnants swept into Laos before reaching Thailand on Friday.
Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying storms and rainfall across Southeast Asia, making tropical cyclones more destructive and frequent.
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