BANGKOK: Severe flooding has hit Thailand’s capital after three days of heavy rainfall, prompting authorities to declare an emergency across all 50 districts of Bangkok.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the eastern parts of the city have been the worst affected. Around 300 millimetres of rain has been recorded since Thursday afternoon, with more rainfall forecast in the coming days.
The governor urged residents living near canals to move their belongings to safe, elevated locations as many of the city’s canals are now overflowing. He also advised bedridden patients who rely on life-saving medical equipment to consider temporarily moving to hospitals.
Municipal authorities have established temporary shelters for affected residents, while pumping operations are underway to drain floodwater from affected areas.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy rainfall across most parts of the country through Sunday. Officials said a strengthening low-pressure system over the central region has also intensified monsoon conditions.
The situation in Bangkok has revived memories of the devastating 2011 floods, which killed more than 500 people across Thailand and damaged millions of homes.
