Flood emergency declared across Bangkok after heavy rains

BANGKOK: Authorities have declared a flood emergency across Bangkok after more than 300 millimetres of rain hit the Thai capital since Thursday, submerging roads and disrupting daily life.

All 50 districts of Bangkok have been designated emergency areas as heavy rainfall overwhelmed the city’s drainage system. Several canals have also overflowed, sending water onto streets and into residential areas.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said on Sunday that rainfall had eased. However, officials warned that the threat had not passed because water levels in canals remained dangerously high.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urged residents to remain alert. People have been advised to stay indoors where possible. Residents living near canals have also been asked to move valuable belongings and other items to higher floors.

The eastern parts of the capital have been among the worst affected areas. Authorities are operating pumps to remove floodwater, but the high levels in canals have slowed drainage.

Flooding has caused major traffic problems across Bangkok. Several roads have been covered by water, while residents have struggled to travel through affected neighbourhoods. Images from the capital showed people walking through flooded streets and pushing motorcycles and scooters through deep water.

Residents living near canals said water levels continued to rise. Some businesses have been forced to close as floodwater entered shops and homes.

Thailand regularly experiences heavy thunderstorms during this period of the year. However, the recent rainfall has been unusually intense and has placed significant pressure on Bangkok’s drainage network.

The Thai Meteorological Service has forecast more rain in the coming days. The low-pressure system responsible for the recent downpours is expected to move towards central Thailand, but further rainfall could worsen flooding in already affected areas.

The situation has raised memories of Thailand’s devastating floods in 2011. That disaster lasted for several months and caused hundreds of deaths across the country. No deaths have so far been reported in Bangkok from the latest flooding.

Authorities are continuing efforts to drain affected areas and monitor canal levels. Residents in vulnerable locations have been warned to remain prepared as further heavy rain could cause additional flooding.