Authorities in Bangkok declared a disaster across all 50 districts of the Thai capital on Saturday after continuous torrential rainfall caused severe flooding.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt confirmed that eastern areas of the city were worst affected with nearly 300 millimeters (11.8 inches) of rain falling since Thursday afternoon. Over 24 hours of non-stop downpours swamped major roads with filled urban canals and inundated homes and businesses.
"The situation poses a risk to people's lives and property," Governor Chadchart warned on social media and advising residents along canals to immediately move possessions and vehicles to higher ground. He also urged bedridden patients reliant on medical equipment to seek temporary stays in hospitals.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) opened emergency shelters and deployed drainage pumps across the city. However, officials acknowledged that relief efforts face severe hurdles as canals remain completely full with limiting water outflow.
Local residents described the inundation as the severe monsoon surge in recent memory with water levels reaching waist height in some neighborhoods.
Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned that heavy to very heavy rain will persist through Sunday due to a low-pressure system over the central region and intensified seasonal monsoons.
