A disaster status has been declared in the capital of Thailand due to severe flooding. Video

In the capital of Thailand, a disaster status has been declared due to severe flooding. Video

A disaster status has been declared in Bangkok amid severe flooding triggered by prolonged downpours. Residential neighborhoods and 15 major roads have been flooded in the Thai capital, and authorities are urging residents to stay indoors if possible.

Heavy rainfall began at around 16:00 on September 24 and did not stop until the morning of September 26. During this time, nearly 300 millimeters of precipitation fell in the eastern districts of the city, including Min Buri, Khlong Sam Wa, and Saphan Sung.

Due to this volume of water, the city's drainage system failed to cope with the load. The Saen Saep, Prawet, Lat Phrao, and Prem Prachakorn canals cannot drain water effectively. Additional complications are being caused by floodwaters coming from the neighboring provinces of Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani, as well as a low-pressure area.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reported that the most severe situation has developed in the east of the capital, where the sewerage system is overloaded. City authorities prepared sandbags in advance and set up temporary accommodation centers in unflooded administrative buildings and schools.

Separate measures have been provided for people who need assistance with evacuation. Authorities are prepared to transport bedridden patients to hospitals if the situation in their areas worsens.

Due to the flooding, the Bangkok administration has advised residents to limit travel on 15 major streets. These include Vibhavadi, Phahonyothin, Ratchadapisek, Sukhumvit, Lat Phrao, Phetchaburi, and Chaeng Watthana.

At the same time, the western part of the city across the Chao Phraya River has not yet faced serious flooding. Authorities expect water levels to begin receding about six hours after the rain stops.

According to the Thai Meteorological Department forecast, heavy to moderate rain in Bangkok, five neighboring provinces, and the central part of the country will persist until September 28. Experts warn of the risk of further flooding and localized landslides.