Bangkok roads submerged as flood disaster declared
An emergency has been declared across the capital of Thailand as days of heavy rain leave the city inundated.
Bangkok roads submerged as flood disaster declared
A flood emergency disaster has been declared across Bangkok after 48 hours of heavy rain left roads in the Thai capital underwater.
Residents have been told to remain at home, while people living near the city’s canal network have been advised to move their belongings to higher floors.
Thunderstorms are typical in Thailand at this time of year, but severe weather over recent days has overwhelmed Bangkok’s drainage system, triggering traffic chaos on roads already known for heavy congestion.
Rain is forecast to continue into Sunday, increasing fears that additional canals may overflow.
Somkid Pheuk-ngam, a 67-year-old who lives near a canal just north of central Bangkok, told the AFP news agency: "The water keeps coming in. It's hard to go out now. It's like at my waist level now.
"I cannot go anywhere. I have been closing my shop for two days now."
She said water levels in the city seemed worse than in 2011, when Bangkok was hit by nationwide flooding.
Hundreds died across Thailand in that extreme weather event, which lasted three months. No casualties have been reported in Bangkok so far from this latest flooding.
The Thai Meteorological Service has predicted more heavy rain through the week, although the low-pressure system responsible for recent downpours is expected to shift toward central Thailand.
All 50 of Bangkok’s districts have been declared emergency zones.
Chadchart Sittipunt, the city’s governor, said the east of the city had been hit hardest, AFP reported.
He added: "The rain keeps falling and we are doing our best. We are trying to pump the water out, but the water in canals are full... The risk areas are those who live near canals. Every canal is now filled."