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World

Bangkok on red alert as massive floods hit the city

Bangkok's governor has declared the Thai capital a disaster-affected zone after persistent downpours flooded major roads, with canal levels critical and more heavy rain forecast.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 1 min read

Motorbikes and cars wading through flood water on a Bangkok street during heavy flooding.
Photo: The Globe

Bangkok is on red alert as persistent heavy downpours have triggered widespread flooding across the Thai capital, with the city’s governor declaring Bangkok a disaster-affected zone on Saturday.

Persistent rain over a 48-hour period flooded major roads and brought severe traffic disruption, with authorities issuing red alerts in the worst-affected areas, according to Al Jazeera. Reuters reported that Bangkok had seen more than 24 hours of continuous rainfall, exceeding 150mm in some parts of the city, with the weather agency forecasting thunderstorms and heavy to very heavy rain over the weekend.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation sent a cell broadcast alert to phones across Bangkok at 9.22am on Saturday, warning that canal water levels had reached critical levels and were continuing to rise. Residents along canals and in low-lying areas were told to move belongings to higher ground and avoid flooded routes.

Under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s warning system, 21 major routes were classified red — meaning severe flooding and routes to be avoided immediately — including stretches of Ratchadaphisek, Lat Phrao, Rama IX and Sukhumvit roads, with five more routes on orange alert.

Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the situation “poses a risk to people’s lives … as well as damage to public and private property”. The Bangkok City Administration has opened a shelter for evacuees, and the meteorological department has warned of heavy to very heavy rain continuing until 27 September.

Sources

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