Bangkok floods after intense rainfall, emergency measures in place
Bangkok faces severe flooding after heavy rains overwhelmed drainage systems, leading to disaster declaration and public holidays to support emergency efforts. Over 3,000 people are in shelters, with flooding also impacting over half a million people in nearby provinces.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1)
Heavy rains have caused severe flooding in Bangkok, prompting authorities to declare a disaster across all 50 districts of the city. Parts of Bangkok, including Bang Kapi, remain submerged under knee- to waist-deep water after more than 300 millimeters of rain fell over 48 hours.
The flooding has disrupted roads, businesses, and public transport, with some vehicles partially submerged. In response, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared Monday and Tuesday public holidays to reduce traffic and assist emergency services, and schools were closed.
More than 200 temporary shelters have been opened, housing around 3,000 people as of Sunday. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt noted that drainage systems are operating at full capacity but warned that high canal levels could prolong flooding in some areas. Officials estimate that two to three rain-free days are needed to fully drain the water.
Beyond Bangkok, flooding has affected over 545,000 people across 25 provinces. Since September 16, at least eight deaths have been reported in these affected regions, though no fatalities have been confirmed within Bangkok itself.