Heavy Rain and Flooding Disrupt Bangkok Traffic, Prompt Evacuations

BANGKOK – Torrential rain inundated parts of Thailand’s capital on Saturday, snarling traffic and prompting hundreds of people to evacuate. The downpour began Thursday afternoon.

Thailand’s Meteorological Department said heavy rain was expected to persist across most of the country through Sunday. Forecasters attributed the conditions to a powerful low-pressure system over the central region and strengthening southwest monsoon conditions.

Rainfall accumulated in Bangkok’s main canals surpassed 20 centimeters (7.8 inches), according to officials. Floodwaters spread through large parts of the city, particularly central and eastern districts, closing roads and bringing traffic to a standstill in some areas.

Nationwide, more than 84,000 people across 21 provinces had been affected by flooding as of Saturday, with the central region hit especially hard. The government said authorities had issued emergency alerts through the cell-broadcast system in affected areas.

Hwang Hwan-chung, a visitor from South Korea who has traveled to Bangkok more than 10 times, said he had never experienced weather this “crazy” and was unable to find a taxi.

Sukanya Tongsuk, a Bangkok resident, compared the flooding to the last time the capital experienced widespread inundation in 2011.

“I think it’s like 10 or 15 years ago that we saw heavy rain like this,” she said.

Dutch resident Bjorn Franken, who has lived in Bangkok for two years, said he had managed to cope with the conditions, although an event he planned to attend was canceled.

Flooding also prompted many Bangkok businesses to close on Saturday.

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Vehicles moved slowly along flooded roads, while motorcycle riders were seen pushing their bikes through the water. Authorities said some bus services linking Bangkok with eastern provinces had been suspended.

Phetchaburi Road, one of Bangkok’s busiest thoroughfares, was unusually deserted after vehicles were forced to turn around. Some cars were left partly submerged.

Residents waded through the murky floodwater to collect food and fresh water. Some went barefoot, others wore rubber waders, and several wrapped plastic bags around their feet.

Air traffic control authorities said airport operations remained normal, although some flights could be delayed because weather conditions forced aircraft to take longer routes.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the flooding was expected to ease after the rain stopped. City officials were working to remove the water as quickly as possible, he said.

More than 200 shelters had been established across Bangkok, with about 900 people moving into them, Chadchart said.

Officials also opened some government facilities to serve as temporary parking areas.