BANGKOK – Flooding across all 50 districts of Bangkok has affected some 52,000 households and forced about 4,200 residents to evacuate to temporary shelters.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said cumulative rainfall in the capital had exceeded 300 millimetres since 4 pm on Thursday (Sept 24), generating an estimated 223 million cubic metres of water.
Several major canals had reached full capacity, with some overflowing and affecting surrounding communities and transport routes, he said.
“Currently, approximately 13 major roads have been affected, and around 4,200 residents have evacuated to shelters,” he said during an online meeting on Saturday chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who joined from London.
Chadchart said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was operating drainage and pumping equipment at full capacity, and coordinating with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), military units, and other agencies to deploy high-clearance vehicles, boats, and personnel to hard-to-reach areas and those affected by deep flooding.
He said the BMA had established 233 temporary shelters with a combined capacity of about 15,000 people, while nearly 40 bedridden patients had been transferred to hospitals.
Schools are being used as the main temporary shelters, while 69 public health centres and 13 BMA-affiliated hospitals are on standby to provide medical assistance, particularly to bedridden patients and other vulnerable groups.
BMA-affiliated municipal schools currently holding examinations will close on Monday to ease travel difficulties for parents, students, and teachers while flood management efforts is ongoing.
Meanwhile, Suvarnabhumi Airport said flooding in surrounding areas had not affected its operations or services. Arrivals and departures continue to operate normally.
“For passengers travelling to and from the airport, the main access routes remain open and accessible. Passengers are advised to allow additional travel time when heading to the airport,” the airport’s Special Affairs and Community Relations Department said.
International passengers are advised to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure and domestic passengers at least two hours in advance to allow sufficient time for check-in and security screening. – BERNAMA
