Bangkok Declares Disaster Zone Across All 50 Districts After Record Rains Trigger Severe Flooding

Bangkok authorities have declared a disaster zone across all 50 districts of Thailand’s capital following three consecutive days of relentless rainfall that caused widespread flooding.

The emergency designation, granting local organisations expanded authority to take action, was announced on Saturday after Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reported that nearly 300mm (11.8 inches) of rain had fallen since Thursday afternoon. The nonstop downpour inundated roads and canals, pushing water into homes and stores.

Photographs and video footage captured major thoroughfares submerged and vehicles abandoned by drivers unable to navigate the rising waters. Governor Chadchart noted that the eastern part of the city suffered the most damage, warning that further rain was forecasted.

Officials are working to drain the floodwaters as quickly as possible. “The rain keeps falling and we are doing our best. We are trying to pump the water out, but the water in canals are full,” Governor Chadchart said on social media, adding that areas near canals remain at high risk.

Later on Saturday, the government reported that the flooding situation had stabilised, though it would take two to three days for water levels to recede completely, provided no further heavy rainfall occurs. Governor Chadchart advised residents to move their vehicles to higher ground, while the public transport authority offered free access to MRT train “park and ride” facilities until October 2.

Reporting from Bangkok, Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng noted that while the Thai capital is accustomed to seasonal monsoon rains, the persistence of this weather event has alarmed locals. Unlike typical brief, isolated downpours, this event has affected the entire city since Thursday evening.

Somkid Pheuk-ngam, a 67-year-old vendor living near a canal north of central Bangkok, shared that she was forced to close her shop for two days as waist-high water flooded her property, describing the situation as worse than the 2011 floods.

Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has issued warnings regarding low pressure systems affecting eastern, northeastern, and central Thailand, highlighting continued risks of flash floods, forest runoff, mudslides, and overflowing rivers.