Canals full, roads submerged as Bangkok declares flood disaster

Bangkok authorities declared a flood disaster on Saturday after nearly 48 hours of heavy rain left the city's canals overflowing and roads submerged. Officials urged residents to stay at home, with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stating that almost 300 millimeters of rain had fallen. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul cut short a trip to London to return to the capital.

Residents near canals reported water up to their waist level and were unable to leave their homes. Vendor Somkid Pheuk-ngam, 67, said this flood was worse than the 2011 disaster, which killed over 500 people and damaged millions of homes. The situation is expected to stabilize if no more rain falls, with drainage potentially taking 2-3 days. At least 13 roads were flooded, and authorities transferred 36 bedridden residents to hospitals.