Eight dead in Thailand floods since mid-September

Since mid-September, flooding in Thailand has claimed the lives of eight individuals, as reported by the government on Monday. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) confirmed that five fatalities occurred in Sa Kaeo, two in Chanthaburi, and one in Saraburi, provinces located in the country's eastern region. The DDPM did not provide additional information on the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Excluding Bangkok, over 500,000 households and 1.7 million people across 27 provinces have been impacted by the flooding. In the capital city, where nearly 48 hours of heavy rain led to swollen canals and flooded roads, no deaths have been officially recorded. The DDPM stated that water levels have stabilized, although AFP reporters observed ongoing heavy rain and flooding in eastern Bangkok.

Schools have been closed, and citizens have been advised to work from home, resulting in quieter streets and reduced public transportation usage.

Government spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises acknowledged that some areas in Bangkok still experience high water levels, but drainage systems have lowered water to a level that allows for increased travel. While Thailand is accustomed to rainy weather, with September marking the peak of the rainy season, many residents expressed that the current flooding appears more severe than past events.