Authorities in Bangkok have declared a state of disaster across all 50 districts of Thailand’s capital following widespread flooding caused by torrential rain.
The declaration allows local authorities to introduce emergency measures after almost 300 millimetres of rain fell across Bangkok since Thursday, according to Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.
Water reaches waist level
Heavy rain has continued since Thursday afternoon, flooding roads and causing water levels in Bangkok’s canals to rise.
Water has also entered numerous buildings located alongside the canals.
“The water level has not stopped rising. It is difficult to go outside now. It reaches up to my waist,” 67-year-old vendor Somkid Fuek-ngam, who lives beside a canal near the city centre, told AFP.
“I cannot go anywhere. I have closed my shop for two days,” she added, saying she had not seen flooding on this scale in Bangkok for 15 years.
Eastern Bangkok worst affected
According to the governor, the eastern part of the city has been hit hardest.
“It is still raining and we are doing our best. We are trying to drain the water, but the canals are full,” he told reporters.
Authorities are continuing efforts to remove floodwater as rainfall persists.
The governor also urged bedridden patients who rely on essential medical equipment at home to consider being admitted to hospital and remaining there temporarily because of the flooding.
Memories of deadly 2011 floods
Thailand has previously suffered devastating flooding on a much larger scale.
In 2011, major floods across the country killed more than 500 people and caused damage to millions of homes.
Source: CNA
