BANGKOK | Floodwaters in Bangkok began to recede on Monday after torrential rain inundated large parts of the Thai capital, affecting about 329,000 households or roughly 700,000 people, while authorities continued emergency drainage and relief operations in the hardest-hit communities.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the low-pressure system responsible for the intense rainfall had moved away, allowing the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to accelerate pumping and drainage operations. However, water remained high in several major canals, particularly in eastern Bangkok, slowing the removal of floodwater from roads and residential areas.
The capital received nearly 300 millimetres of rain over 48 hours through Saturday, according to Reuters, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to declare the city a disaster-affected area. Major roads were submerged and some vehicles were partly covered by water.
Authorities said some of the worst-affected districts included Lat Krabang, Bang Kapi, Khan Na Yao, Saphan Sung, Suan Luang and Lak Si. Around 1,500 bedridden patients and other people requiring care had been moved from flooded areas to hospitals, while thousands of residents were being assisted through temporary shelters and emergency services.
The flooding also disrupted transportation and business activity. Suvarnabhumi Airport reported delays in baggage handling because of staffing shortages and difficulties moving luggage, while some businesses experienced staffing problems as employees were unable to reach their workplaces. The government declared Monday and Tuesday special holidays in Bangkok and three neighboring provinces because of the flooding.
Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned that heavy to very heavy rain could continue in parts of the country, with risks of flash floods, river overflows, forest runoff and landslides, particularly in northern, central and eastern areas. Although Bangkok was expected to receive less rain, officials continued to monitor conditions as monsoon showers persisted.
The flooding highlights Bangkok’s long-standing exposure to water-related disasters. The city sits on the low-lying Chao Phraya River delta, where flooding can result from heavy local rainfall, upstream runoff and tidal effects. The World Bank has documented major floods affecting Bangkok in 1942, 1983, 1995 and other years.
The country’s devastating 2011 floods remain a major reference point. The disaster affected more than 13 million people and caused an estimated $46.5 billion in damage and economic losses, according to the World Bank. Bangkok was among the areas severely affected as floodwaters moved through the Chao Phraya basin.
For the latest flooding, authorities are focusing on lowering water levels in major canals before drawing water away from flooded roads and communities. City officials said drainage, food and water distribution, medical assistance and evacuation efforts would continue while residents in affected areas wait for conditions to improve.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
