Bangkok declares a disaster after heavy rain

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 were swollen and many of the houses and restaurants on the banks were under water, journalists from the AFP news agency reported. According to the governor, almost 300 millimeters of rain has fallen in Bangkok since Thursday. However, the situation has now “stabilized” somewhat.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the east of the city was hardest hit and warned of more rain. "It is raining non-stop and we are 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. A parking garage could be used free of charge. He advised people in need of medical help to go to hospitals. By declaring a disaster, local authorities can take emergency measures.

In the afternoon, Chadchart announced that the situation had “stabilized”. “If no more rainwater falls in the area, the problem will resolve,” the Bangkok governor said in online services. “Once the rain stops, it is expected that it will take two to three days for the flood waters to clear,” he added.

According to Chadchart, the problem is the swollen canals. “We are working with neighboring provinces and trying to divert water through other routes to minimize how much flows into Bangkok,” he said. Formerly known as the “Venice of the East,” Bangkok is built on former swampland and sits just 1.5 meters above sea level.

“The water keeps rising”

Residents of the Thai capital expressed concern. "The water keeps rising. It's difficult to go out now. It's up to my waist now," said vendor Somkid Pheuk-ngam, who lives near a canal north of the center. Her shop has already been closed for two days. Floods are not uncommon in Bangkok, but she believes “this time it is worse than the 2011 flood.” In 2011, severe flooding in Thailand killed more than 500 people and damaged millions of homes.

63-year-old resident Anutin Meechamnan also spoke of the heaviest rainfall he could remember. "I feel like I've never experienced anything like this in all the many years I've lived here, that it rains non-stop for days," he told AFP.

Supplies in supermarkets are becoming scarce

Meanwhile, grocery stores in the Thai capital were running low on supplies as residents rushed to buy essentials. Governor Chadchart urged residents not to worry about possible food shortages, stressing: “The public need not panic.”

Civil protection warned of low pressure areas over eastern, northeast and central Thailand until Sunday. The authority said flash floods and mudslides could occur. Flooding was reported in 21 provinces of the Southeast Asian country on Saturday. According to authorities, one person has been killed so far.