Bangkok on Flood Alert: Governor Declares Disaster Amid Heavy Rains

After nearly continuous downpours, the Thai capital has dumped almost 300 mm of rain, flooding streets, submerging traffic and trapping vehicles in the city’s most heavily trafficked areas.

Governor Chadchart Sittipunt officially declared Bangkok a disaster‑affected zone, citing the extensive water damage, road closures and risk to residents. He warned that the rains are unlikely to abate soon, with more water expected in the next few days.

Videos from the city show cars attempting to navigate roads that have been entirely submerged, with several vehicles stranded on the slick pavement. Residents and emergency crews navigate the traffic chaos, using boats and makeshift platforms to move through the flooded avenues.

Traffic authorities have urged pedestrians to avoid low-lying areas, and the police have conducted evacuation drills in the most affected neighbourhoods. The city’s public transport system has been temporarily halted, with the BTS and MRT lines out of operation in some sections.

Officials say that temperatures remain mild, but the relentless downpour threatens to worsen the flooding around critical infrastructure, including hospitals and schools. Residents are being advised to stay indoors and prepare for potential power outages.

The government has opened emergency shelters and increased water‑purification stations across the city, aiming to keep the flooding from spiraling into a full‑scale humanitarian crisis.