Bangkok Declares City-Wide Flood Disaster After Heavy Rainfall

Bangkok Governor Chadchart ​Sittipunt on Saturday declared Thailand's capital city a disaster-affected zone after torrential rain led to widespread flooding, while the weather agency forecast thunderstorms ​over the weekend.

Major roads were flooded, with cars partly submerged, and ​people were forced to wade through waist-height water after nearly ⁠300 millimetres of rain fell within 48 hours.

Mr Sittipunt said the crisis "poses a risk to people's lives" and could damage ​public and private property, and added that the situation was most severe near canals.

The army said it is setting up shelters and field kitchens among other disaster relief efforts, ​while the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has designated schools as temporary accommodation ​and asked residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Supermarkets were crowded with people stocking up on ‌supplies.

"I'm ⁠worried too, because I haven't stocked up on food beforehand, and I've never faced this kind of situation alone before, since my parents aren't with me," said 19-year-old Sansuk Laowatcharakul.

The government on Saturday issued an emergency ​advisory for people living ​near canals ⁠to move possessions to higher ground.

Although not all parts of Bangkok were submerged, the city declared all 50 districts a flood disaster area to help authorities respond quickly.

More than 200 shelters were set up across the city and about 4,200 people have moved in, according to Mr Sittipunt.

"[Before the warning] I wasn't aware enough to consider relocating," said Bangkok resident Suppakarn ​Julavijitphong as he carried luggage from a condo surrounded ​by floodwater.

The ⁠city's main airport, Suvarnabhumi, was operating normally, though the tourism authority advised travellers to allow an extra two to three hours in their plans.

Air traffic control authorities confirmed flight operations were normal, but some flights might face delays.

Mr Sittipunt said, despite the heavy rain, flooding should recede once the rain subsides, as city officials work to drain floodwaters as quickly as possible.