Rain eases in Bangkok but persistent flooding forces thousands to leave home

Rain temporarily subsided in Bangkok on Sunday, yet flooding lingered in numerous low-lying regions, compelling thousands to seek refuge in temporary shelters. At least eight individuals lost their lives over the past ten days across the nation. Intense rainfall over several days triggered extensive flooding and significant disruptions in Bangkok, affecting traffic and commerce, with precipitation surpassing 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) in many locales.

The Bangkok Meteorological Department forecasted moderate to heavy rain Sunday across several parts of Thailand, but conditions were anticipated to improve by Monday. The city erected over 200 makeshift shelters, and approximately 3,000 residents were still residing in them as of Sunday. Authorities reported that 31 roads remained inundated by floodwaters.

Bangkok's Governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, noted a decline in rainfall in the capital and stated that city officials were striving to expeditiously drain the water. He cautioned that water levels in Bangkok's primary canals remained high, with some levels continuing to rise as water kept flowing from adjacent areas. Several low-lying areas, particularly in the suburbs, were still inundated, and multiple communities were compelled to evacuate, according to Chadchart.

More than 545,000 people in 25 additional provinces have been affected by flooding as of Sunday, especially in central and eastern regions, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered relevant authorities to take immediate action to alleviate the situation and support those impacted. Several long-distance train and bus services were suspended, while airports maintained operations but encountered some delays due to the persistent downpours.