Thailand faces ongoing flood crisis with 31 deaths reported

Thailand warned of more heavy rain and flash flooding on Monday as the death toll from floods across the country since September 16 rose to 31, authorities said. More than 3.5 million people remained affected nationwide, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

Heavy rain flooded Bangkok over the weekend and into Monday, leaving roads and neighbourhoods waterlogged. Videos showed people wading through knee-deep water, cars submerged and supermarkets and shops operating despite floodwaters covering their floors. Many areas were inundated last week after days of torrential rain. The city's conditions have largely improved, although floodwaters remain in some lower-lying areas. In one video, residents could be seen continuing their daily routines inside flooded shops, while another showed vehicles almost totally submerged in water. Locals also turned a flooded street outside a shopping mall into a temporary floating market, with sellers wading through the water and using floating platforms and foam boxes to sell fish and vegetables.

Bangkok was declared a disaster-affected zone after continuous heavy rain caused widespread flooding. Schools remained closed for a second day in several areas, while many residents worked from home. Flooding also caused travel disruptions at Bangkok’s airports, major regional hubs. Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned that thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy rain were expected across much of upper Thailand from Monday through Wednesday, increasing the risk of flash floods, particularly in low-lying areas. Very heavy to heavy rain was also forecast in parts of the central, eastern and southern regions, including Bangkok. City authorities said they were draining more water from major canals to increase their capacity and deploying additional pumps in high-risk areas.

The flooding has affected eight provinces, with four of the reported deaths in Bangkok. The government last week approved emergency funds of more than 4.1 billion baht, about $122 million, for flood recovery. The flooding has also disrupted Thailand’s aviation sector. Thai Airways dismissed its chief executive, Chai Eamsiril, on Friday following flight delays and baggage backlogs linked to the Bangkok flooding, local media reported. Eamsiril had apologised on behalf of the airline and pledged to clear more than 5,000 bags stranded at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport. Thailand’s tourism minister had criticised the airline’s response.