EGAT - Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand

04/22/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/21/2025 20:39

EGAT large dams safe from earthquake and equipped with abnormal event detection system based on international standards

EGAT large dams safe from earthquake and equipped with abnormal event detection system based on international standards

22 April 2025

EGAT guarantees that EGAT's large dams are stable and safe, designed to withstand earthquakes, and have been inspected based on international standards. The public can monitor data via the EGAT ONE application.

Mr. Chawalit Kankham, Assistant Governor - Renewable Power Plant of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) revealed that the earthquake in Myanmar which caused damages to buildings in many provinces has also raised the public concerns on the safety of large dams. Therefore, EGAT would like to assure that the dams under EGAT's responsibility have all been designed to withstand earthquakes. Moreover, EGAT has conducted inspection and monitoring measures using dam behavior instrument tools, based on international standards. The results revealed that all of EGAT's large dams were not affected by the earthquake and continues to store water for the purposes of consumption, agriculture, and electricity generation at maximum efficiency.

EGAT's large dams were designed to withstand earthquakes with accelerations of 0.1-0.2 g. As for the earthquake in Myanmar: Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit Province (approximately 546.36 km away from the earthquake epicenter) measured an acceleration of 0.00074 g; Bhumibol Dam in Tak Province (approximately 482.82 km away) measured an acceleration of 0.00457 g; and the dams in Kanchanaburi Province, namely Srinagarind Dam (approximately 820 km away) measured an acceleration of 0.00473 g, and Vajiralongkorn Dam (approximately 809.8 km away) measured an acceleration of 0.02590 g.

Additionally, safety operations have been implemented at EGAT's dams and reservoirs in accordance with the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). The inspections can be divided into three phases:

1. Regular inspection: Designated officers visually inspect dams and their buildings as well as monitor the results of dam behavior instrument tools weekly.

2. Formal inspection: Dam Safety Inspection and Evaluation Committee inspects and evaluates the stability and strength of dams, reservoirs, and their buildings every two years.

3. Special case inspection: Initiated when abnormal events occur, which may affect the stability and safety of dams and their buildings, such as severe earthquake, heavy rain, flood, etc.

The public can monitor data via the EGAT ONE application on smartphones (iOS and Andriod) to find information on water management and receive prompt safety notifications.