Disaster declared in all 50 Bangkok districts after three days of heavy rain

A state of disaster was declared in all 50 districts of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, on Saturday after most parts of the city were flooded following three consecutive days of heavy rain. With the declaration, local authorities can now proceed with rescue and relief work.

According to Bangkok's governor, about 300 millimetres of rain has fallen in the capital since Thursday afternoon. The governor said eastern Bangkok has been the worst affected, and that with almost all of the capital's canals full, draining the water has become difficult.

He urged residents living along canal banks to stay especially alert and to move vehicles to higher ground, warning that more rain is likely. As canal water levels rose, water entered many houses and restaurants along the banks.

Somkid Phueak-ngam, 67, who lives near a canal, said she had kept her shop closed for two days as the water had risen to waist level. In the southeastern area of On Nut, residents were seen wading through knee-deep water and piling up sandbags to protect their homes.

Bangkok's public transport authority has arranged for vehicles to be parked free of charge at 'park and ride' lots at rail stations until October 2. According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the effects of a low-pressure system will continue in eastern, northeastern and central Thailand until Sunday. The department has warned of the risk of flash floods, landslides and rising river levels.