Bangkok Declares Flood Disaster Following Heavy Rainfall
Bangkok's governor declared a citywide flood disaster after nearly 300 millimetres of rain fell in less than 48 hours, overwhelming canals and submerging streets. The flooding has killed at least two people and affected more than 84,000 people nationwide, prompting the prime minister to return from London early. Despite the scale of disruption, authorities said the situation was stabilising.
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Authorities in Bangkok declared a flood disaster across the Thai capital after almost 300 millimetres of rain fell in less than 48 hours, overwhelming canals and leaving many streets submerged. The flooding has killed at least two people and affected more than 84,000 people across the country.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urged residents to stay indoors as water levels rose. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced he was cutting short a trip to London to return home and oversee the response to the disaster.
Somkid Pheuk-ngam, a 67-year-old vendor living near a canal north of the city centre, described the difficult conditions. She said: 'The water keeps coming in. It's hard to go out now. It's like at my waist level now.' She was unable to leave her home because of the rising water.
Despite the scale of the disruption, the governor said the situation appeared to be stabilising. He urged the public not to panic as emergency services worked to drain flooded areas and assist residents who were stranded by the water.
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