All Bangkok districts declared disaster zones after flooding

All 50 districts of Bangkok have been declared disaster zones following ongoing flooding, according to Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The declaration, effective as of September 25, expands a previous designation to include additional areas and takes effect immediately. The move aims to expedite and streamline the response from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, government agencies, and local authorities.

Alerts were issued via cell broadcast at 9:22 AM, warning of rising canal water levels and the expectation of further increases. Thai Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rain to persist until September 27, with flash flood warnings issued earlier in the week. Panic buying was observed at supermarkets and convenience stores, with essential items like dried food, drinking water, instant noodles, and eggs in short supply.

While some stores ran low on certain products, they remained open and began restocking. Former president of the Thai Retailers Association, Somchai Pornratanacharoen, suggested that the panic buying was a short-term measure driven by concerns over potential delays in deliveries. He noted that the situation did not yet warrant a major flood crisis and that production and distribution were functioning normally.

Heavy rain had already caused traffic disruptions on major routes, prompting some residents to avoid driving due to fear of vehicle damage. The rush was concentrated on a weekend, further complicating the situation as people hesitated to venture out.