Chiang Mai University, through the Academic Centre for Water Management Support, and its network partners have developed a data system to support flood tracking, monitoring, and response in Mueang Chiang Mai. By integrating and processing water-level data, water-level forecasts, flood hazard maps and historical flood data, the system enables the public and relevant agencies to assess situations, plan ahead, and prepare timely responses.
One of the key datasets is the Ping River Tracking System, which presents water-related data from monitoring stations, including current water levels, flow rates, riparian buffer distances, and elevation above mean sea level. Data from the P1 station, located at the foot of Nawarat Bridge, serves as the key reference for tracking and assessing water levels in urban areas.
The system is also linked to ‘water-level forecast data’ to support both real-time monitoring and future projections. Forecast data can be compared with designated water levels for different areas, helping local residents assess potential risks and take measures to protect their homes and properties in advance.
To assess flood-risk areas, the system provides the ‘Chiang Mai Flood Hazard Map,’ which illustrates five levels of flood risk based on water levels at the P1 station. The five water levels are at: 4.3 meters, 4.5 meters, 4.7 meters, 5 meters, and 5.3 meters, respectively. Water begins to overflow the riverbanks when the water level at the P1 station exceeds 4.2 meters. The reference levels enable the assessment of areas that may be affected as water levels rise.
The system also features the ‘Chiang Mai Flood Depth Map,’ based on a water level of 5.3 meters at the P1 station. Physical data from affected areas and ‘recorded flood marks’ are processed using a spatial interpolation technique known as inverse distance weighting (IDW) to estimate flood depths in areas without direct measurement data.
Users can view the information in different formats, including the flood depth map, the water surface elevation map, and the flood elevation map. The system also allows users to view data for individual locations, zoom in, and navigate the map to examine areas of interest.
For local flood alerts, Chiang Mai University has developed more than 220 CM Flood Poles, which have been deployed in areas of Mueang Chiang Mai with a history of flooding. Each pole indicates the water level in relation to the flood level at its specific location. The public can compare water-level data or forecasts from the P1 station with the levels displayed on the poles to assess potential water levels in their local areas and plan an appropriate response. The website also provides details of each flood pole, including illustrations and directions, to facilitate access to local flood-alert information.
Additionally, the system includes data from CM Flood Mark 2024, comprising approximately 5,000 locations across flood-affected areas in Chiang Mai and Lamphun. The data indicates the highest flood levels measured from the road surface during the major flooding in October 2024, when the Ping River water level at the P1 station reached 5.3 meters. This information can support situation assessment and flood alerts in hazard-prone areas.
The system also provides information on shelters and temporary parking areas available during flooding, contributed by both public and private-sector organizations. This information assists residents in high-risk areas in planning an evacuation and identifying safe locations for themselves and their vehicles in the event of flooding.
For comparison, the system includes a previous version of the flood hazard map based on the 2011 flood. The latest version incorporates data from the 2024 flood to reflect changes in local conditions, water-retention capacity, and the city's flood-prevention measures.This initiative brings together data, knowledge, technology, and collaboration between Chiang Mai University and its partners to support water management in Chiang Mai, with a focus on applying data to flood monitoring, risk assessment, early warning, response, and mitigation.
Interested individuals and agencies can access water-level data and other flood-alert information at https://watercenter.cmu.ac.th/chiangmai/cmflood.
