Eight dead in Thailand floods since mid-September

Since September 16, eight individuals have perished in Thailand due to flooding, according to the government. No fatalities have been reported in Bangkok, which declared a disaster this weekend after heavy rains. The eight victims were located in eastern provinces, with five in Sa Kaeo, two in Chanthaburi, and one in Saraburi, as reported by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

Over 500,000 households and 1.7 million people in 27 provinces have been affected by flooding, excluding Bangkok, which has seen impacts on 52,000 households. The capital, however, declared a city-wide disaster following nearly two days of intense rain that caused canals to swell and roads to flood. Water levels in Bangkok have stabilized, but AFP journalists witnessed heavy rain and flooding in eastern neighborhoods, with residents navigating through waist-deep waters.

Schools have been closed, and authorities have advised the public to work from home, resulting in quieter streets and reduced public transport usage on Monday morning. While Thailand is accustomed to heavy rainfall, with September marking the peak of the rainy season, many residents express that this year's flooding is more severe than in previous years.