CENTRAL THAILAND — THE FLOOD CREST MOVES DOWNSTREAM, 40 DEAD

On the board · September 30, 2026 →

BUILDING · September 30, 2026 · NO. 0930

THE WATER

Thailand's flood has worsened for a second day. The health ministry now counts 40 dead, and about 2,700 km² is under water across four regions, most of it in the Central Plains. From noon the Chao Phraya Dam raises its release to 2,500 cubic metres a second, and the crest moves down the river toward Ayutthaya and Bangkok. (Handled with care.)

Upstream, the flow at Nakhon Sawan is expected to peak near 3,000 cubic metres a second on Friday. Eleven provinces are warned, from Uthai Thani and Chai Nat to Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and the capital. In Ayutthaya, eight districts and some 88,000 people were already affected before today's increase.

About 2.6 million people are affected nationwide, including some 700,000 in Bangkok, where the city is draining but full drainage could take a week. For pump-station crews, basin water managers and district relief offices, the call is how to move water out faster than the river brings it in.

THE RECORD

25 turning points on record since Aug 21 — the 8 most recent shown.

Sep 30↑ moved up the board

Sep 29easing → building

Sep 28peak → easing · intensified sharply

Sep 27active → peak

Sep 26↑ moved up the board

Sep 25easing → active

Sep 24active → easing

Sep 23▽ eased

THE FACTS

THE TOLL RISES TO 40The health ministry counts 40 flood deaths nationwide; the disaster-prevention department's count stood at 23 on Tuesday. (Handled with care.)

THE RELEASE GOES UP AGAINThe Chao Phraya Dam releases 2,500 cubic metres a second from noon, with more water arriving from upstream in the coming days.

2.6 MILLION AFFECTEDAbout 2.6 million people in 29 provinces and Bangkok are affected, some 700,000 of them in the capital.

AND ELSEWHERE — RED RAIN IN THE GARDUp to 400 mm is forecast in the Gard and eastern Hérault until midnight, where schools are shut.

AND ELSEWHERE — RACHEL STRENGTHENSHurricane Rachel, at 85 mph, could become a major hurricane within a day, offshore of south-western Mexico.

WHO IT TOUCHES

Public safetyA flood toll of 40 in Thailand, a red deluge in the Gard, and evacuations below an overtopped dam in New Mexico.

Supply chainsCentral Thailand's industrial provinces in the crest's path, and a Rhine at a record low.

AgricultureThai rice provinces under water, Languedoc vineyards under red rain, and chile country in the Hatch Valley evacuated.

Energy & utilitiesFlash floods over New Mexico's infrastructure, and pumping loads in central Thailand.

Health systemsFlood-affected communities in Thailand, Nigeria and Chile.

CONNECTED

Intensity is not exposure — a named storm crosses atolls with almost no people, while the day's widest toll, 40 dead in Thailand, comes from rain without a name..

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

searched 34 vetted voices and the open field — nothing said about this system cleared the screen.

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