30 centimeters of rain within two days: a disaster declared in Bangkok

After nearly two days of continuous rain, authorities in Bangkok declared a state of emergency for all 50 districts of the Thai capital on Saturday due to severe flooding. The city's canals have swollen and many of the houses and restaurants on the banks are under water, according to media reports.

According to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, almost 300 millimeters of rain has fallen in Bangkok since Thursday. However, the situation has now “stabilized”. He said the east of the city was hardest hit and warned of further rain. »It's raining all the time and we're doing our best. We are trying to pump out the water, but the canals are full,” he wrote on online services. The greatest danger threatens the residents along the canals, he emphasized.

Chadchart recommended residents move their cars to safety. He advised people in need of medical help to go to hospitals. By declaring a disaster, local authorities can take emergency measures.

“If no more rainwater falls in the area, the problem will be solved,” the governor continued. "When the rain stops, it is expected that it will take two to three days for the floodwaters to subside," he added.

According to the dpa news agency, heavy rainfall is expected in the region up to and including Sunday. Public sector workers have been asked to work from home on Monday and Tuesday, reports Thai PBS.