Bangkok: City officials in Bangkok declared a state of emergency on Saturday in 50 districts of Thailand's capital. This decision was made following heavy and continuous rainfall in recent days, which has resulted in severe flooding in various parts of the city.
Flood Situation and Forecasts
Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, announced that the eastern parts of the city have been most affected by the rainfall. He added that by Saturday evening, the situation had become "stable," and if no further rainfall occurs, it is expected that the flooding issues will soon be resolved.
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Chadchart stated in his social media updates: "If the rain stops, it is expected to take two to three days for the floodwaters to drain." According to him, nearly 300 millimeters of rain has fallen in Bangkok since Thursday evening, and he warned that more rainfall is forecasted.
Social and Economic Impacts
Thai officials reported that over 84,000 people in 21 provinces have been affected by the flooding, especially in the central region. Chadchart urged residents to move their belongings to higher ground and advised patients dependent on medical equipment to temporarily relocate to hospitals.
A local vendor named Sumkid Pookngam told the media: "The water has reached my waist, and I can't go anywhere. I have closed my shop for two days." He added that while these floods usually occur, this time the situation is worse than the floods of 2011.
The floods of 2011 in Thailand resulted in the deaths of over 500 people and damaged millions of homes, leaving bitter memories. Now, the recent rainfall has revived those reminders.
The Thai Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rainfall will continue in most parts of the country until Sunday, pointing to a strong low-pressure system in the central region that is enhancing the monsoon conditions.
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