Bangkok declares flood disaster across city

Bangkok's 50 districts were declared disaster zones on Saturday following overwhelming rain that has caused severe flooding throughout the Thai capital. The designation empowers local organizations to take necessary actions. The governor reported that approximately 300mm of rain had accumulated since Thursday, making the situation increasingly dire.

A vendor, Somkid Pheuk-ngam, who lives near a canal just north of central Bangkok, expressed her frustration at being unable to go out and her shop remaining closed for two days due to the rising waters. She compared the current flood to the 2011 disaster, stating that this time it seems worse.

The incessant rainfall since Thursday has inundated roads, swollen Bangkok's canals, and submerged many homes and restaurants along with the water. The east part of the city has borne the brunt of the flooding, according to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who warned that more rain was expected. The risk areas are those residing near canals, as each canal is now filled with water.

He urged residents to relocate their cars to elevated areas and suggested bedridden patients who depend on life-saving medical equipment to consider a temporary stay in a hospital.

The 2011 floods in Thailand resulted in over 500 casualties and caused significant damage to millions of homes.