ABSTRACT

Torrential rain that began on Thursday afternoon flooded major roads in Bangkok on Saturday, forcing hundreds of residents into shelters and leading authorities to declare Thailand's capital a disaster-affected zone. Nearly 300 mm (12 inches) of rain fell in Bangkok within 48 hours, according to officials, and the government said flooding had affected more than 84,000 people across 21 provinces as of Saturday.

The Times of India

Bangkok declares disaster zone as flooding forces hundreds into shelters

Sep 26, 2026, 6:56 AM

Context

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the flooding posed a risk to lives and could damage public and private property, with areas near canals among the worst affected. He said floodwaters should recede once the rain subsides and that city officials were working to drain the water as quickly as possible. More than 200 shelters were set up across Bangkok, with around 900 people moving into them, the governor said. The army took part in relief efforts, setting up shelters and field kitchens, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration designated schools as temporary accommodation and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Thailand's Meteorological Department warned that heavy rain and thunderstorms would continue across much of the country through Sunday, citing a strong low-pressure system over the central region and strengthening southwest monsoon conditions. Authorities sent emergency warnings through the cell-broadcast system, and the government issued an emergency advisory urging people living near canals to move belongings to higher ground.

Accumulated rainfall in major Bangkok canals exceeded 20 centimetres (7.8 inches), officials said. Floodwaters spread across several parts of the city, particularly central and eastern areas. Phetchaburi Road, one of Bangkok's busiest routes, was quiet as vehicles were forced to turn back, and some cars were left partially submerged. Many businesses remained closed on Saturday, and regional bus services from Bangkok to some eastern provinces were suspended. Supermarkets were crowded as residents stocked up on essential supplies.

Air traffic control authorities said airport operations remained normal, although some flights could face delays because of weather-related route changes. Suvarnabhumi Airport was also operating normally, and Thailand's tourism authorities advised travellers to allow an additional two to three hours for their journeys. Authorities continued to monitor the situation as heavy rain and thunderstorms were forecast over the weekend.

Thailand had also experienced severe flooding in its southern provinces in November, when at least 145 people were killed and thousands of homes were damaged.

All Perspectives

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt: Chadchart said the flooding posed a risk to lives and could damage public and private property, with areas near canals among the worst affected. He said floodwaters should recede once the rain subsides and that city officials were working to drain the water as quickly as possible, and he said more than 200 shelters were set up across Bangkok with around 900 people moving into them.

Thai government: The government said flooding had affected more than 84,000 people across 21 provinces as of Saturday, particularly in central Thailand, and issued an emergency advisory urging people living near canals to move belongings to higher ground.

Thailand's Meteorological Department: The department warned that heavy rain and thunderstorms would continue across much of the country through Sunday, citing a strong low-pressure system over the central region and strengthening southwest monsoon conditions.

Air traffic control authorities and Suvarnabhumi Airport: Air traffic control authorities said airport operations remained normal, although some flights could face delays because of weather-related route changes. Suvarnabhumi Airport was also operating normally, while the tourism authorities advised travellers to allow an additional two to three hours for their journeys.

Hwang Hwan-chung, visitor from South Korea: Hwang, who travelled from South Korea and has visited Bangkok more than 10 times, said he had never experienced such "crazy" weather and could not find a taxi.

Sukanya Tongsuk, Bangkok resident: Sukanya compared the flooding with Bangkok's widespread floods in 2011. "I think it's like 10 or 15 years ago that we saw heavy rain like this," she told the Associated Press.

Bjorn Franken, Dutch resident of Bangkok: Franken, who has lived in Bangkok for two years, said he was able to cope with the flooding, although an event he planned to attend was cancelled.

Gaps & Unknowns

The source does not state a death toll or injury count for the current flooding in Bangkok.
The source does not state when the disaster-affected zone declaration was issued or which body issued it.
The source does not state the extent of property damage caused by the flooding.
The source does not state whether official figures support the resident's comparison with Bangkok's 2011 floods.
The source does not state an expected date for floodwaters to recede or for the emergency declaration to be lifted.

Sources & Further Reading

The Times of India — original

Read the original at The Times of India

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