Bangkok floodwaters recede after torrential rain as residents count losses

Bangkok's floodwaters began to recede in many areas on Sunday after a spell of heavy rain eased, despite some residents still finding themselves stranded in their homes. On Saturday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared the city a disaster-affected area following nearly 300 millimeters of rain over a 48-hour period. This led to flooding on major roads, with some cars partially submerged.

Arita Sanpoka, a 33-year-old resident of a flooded community, recounted how two neighbors in their 80s remained trapped in their home due to rising waters. She noted that her home now had water up to her waist, rendering everything inside unusable. Daily life had become challenging with power cuts on the ground floor and an unusable bathroom.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration set up 233 temporary shelters, accommodating around 4,200 people. Flooding affected neighborhoods across the capital, with water entering homes and disrupting transportation. Some areas became difficult to reach, forcing residents to navigate through water. Rachthanichporn Leeput, a 37-year-old delivery rider, walked 2 to 3 kilometers through water following swift flooding on Friday evening.

The rapid rise of water caught many off guard, preventing them from adequately preparing. As a delivery rider, she had to wade through water to buy supplies and resell them, compensating for lost earnings.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced on Sunday that the rainfall had eased after a low-pressure system affecting Bangkok moved westward. Lighter rain was expected, although water levels in several major canals remained high, as water continued to flow from surrounding areas. The weather agency forecasts widespread thunderstorms and isolated heavy rain for Monday. Authorities are continuing to pump water from major canals and assist residents in areas with severe flooding.