Canals full, roads submerged as Bangkok declares flood disaster

Canals full, roads submerged as Bangkok declares flood disaster Andrew Zinin Chief Editor Bangkok authorities declared a flood disaster across the Thai capital on Saturday after almost 48 hours of heavy rain left canals full, roads submerged and residents wading through deep water. Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt urged people to stay home after almost 300 millimeters (11.8 inches) of rain fell, while Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he was cutting short a trip to London to return. Widespread flooding across Thailand in 2011 killed more than 500 people and damaged millions of homes. Chadchart said Saturday afternoon that the situation had "stabilized," adding: "If no more rain falls in the area, the problem will be resolved." "If the rain stops, it is expected that it will take 2–3 days to drain the floodwater," he said in an update broadcast on social media. Temporary shelters Almost continuous rain since Thursday afternoon has swelled Bangkok's network of canals, sending murky water into surrounding homes, restaurants, shops and alleyways. Chadchart said at least 13 roads were also flooded, and AFP reporters saw residents in several neighborhoods forced to wade through deep water. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) declared a disaster in all 50 of the city's districts, a move that gives local organizations special powers to act. But the governor urged residents not to worry about potential food shortages caused by blocked roads, stressing: "The public doesn't have to panic." Chadchart said around 980 people were staying in temporary shelters, while authorities had transferred 36 bedridden people to hospitals. "I woke up to go to work and the street in front of my house was flooded," said motorbike rider Samruay Nakkamnueng in the Ari neighborhood. "I was worried about whether my motorbike would be able to wade through this much floodwater." In the On Nut neighborhood, an AFP reporter saw residents filling sandbags to take home to protect their homes and businesses. Canals are full The flooding was worst in the eastern part of the city and along the canals, and Chadchart urged residents to move their belongings to higher ground. "Our problem is that the canals are full," Chadchart said in his afternoon update. "We are cooperating with nearby provinces and trying to drain water through other areas, minimizing the amount that flows into Bangkok." Once dubbed the "Venice of the East," the city is built on former marshland and rests about 1.5 meters (5 feet) above sea level. The BMA earlier said the city's pumping stations were operating at full capacity, pumping a combined 1,200 cubic meters per second. Municipal workers were also busy Saturday trying to keep the roads clear. "Our job is to make sure trash along the road doesn't block the drains, so the water can drain away quickly," said Kwan Nobnom, one of a group wearing bright orange raincoats. "We thought this year would be dry, so we didn't expect the flooding to be this bad." September is the peak of the rainy season in Bangkok, but it has been wetter than usual, according to figures from the drainage and sewage department. The capital recorded 487 mm (19.2 inches) of rain from Sept. 1 to 25, compared with an average of almost 269 mm (10.6 inches) for the same period from 1991–2020. Scientists warn the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events will increase as the planet continues to heat up because of fossil fuel emissions. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation warned of low pressure across eastern, northeastern and central Thailand until Sunday. © 2026 AFP