Bangkok: Flooding continued across parts of Bangkok on Monday after several days of heavy rain, with authorities estimating that about 329,000 households, or roughly 700,000 people, had been affected across the Thai capital.
Rainfall has begun to ease as a low pressure system moved away from Bangkok, but floodwater remains in several communities. Authorities are working to lower water levels in canals and remove water from flooded roads and residential areas.
About 5,900 people were sheltering in 234 evacuation centres as officials continued to assist residents affected by the flooding.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has also moved about 1,500 bedridden patients to hospitals as part of efforts to protect vulnerable residents. Authorities are providing food, drinking water, boats and other assistance to people in areas where flooding remains severe.
Overnight rainfall remained heavy in some parts of Bangkok. Nong Chok recorded about 62 millimetres of rain, while Lat Krabang received 55 millimetres and Min Buri recorded 52 millimetres.
Flooding has affected several districts across the capital, including Lat Krabang, Bang Kapi, Khan Na Yao, Sai Mai, Suan Luang, Saphan Sung and Lak Si.
The flooding has disrupted daily life and transport in Bangkok. Thailand has declared September 28 and 29 as special holidays in Bangkok and the neighbouring provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan. The measure is intended to reduce travel and ease pressure on transport systems during the emergency.
The flooding is not limited to Bangkok. Other parts of Thailand have also been affected by heavy rain since September 16. At least eight people have died in flood related incidents outside Bangkok, according to disaster authorities.
Authorities have also ordered evacuations in parts of Rayong province after water levels at two reservoirs exceeded their capacity. The development has added to concerns about flooding in eastern Thailand.
The Thai Meteorological Department said the low pressure system that brought heavy rain to Bangkok had moved towards the Gulf of Martaban. However, a relatively strong southwest monsoon continues to affect parts of the country.
Bangkok and surrounding areas were expected to receive less rain overall, although thunderstorms were forecast across much of the area, with isolated heavy rain still possible. The weather agency has warned that heavy and accumulated rainfall could cause flash floods, overflowing waterways and landslides in parts of northern, central and eastern Thailand.
Bangkok's drainage network came under severe pressure after about 320 millimetres of rain fell over two or three days. The rainfall was close to the amount the low lying capital normally receives during the entire month of September.
The immediate focus in Bangkok has now shifted from dealing with the heaviest rainfall to removing floodwater and helping affected residents return to normal life.
Economic losses are also expected to be significant. Aat Pisanwanich, an economist at Rangsit University, estimated that the nationwide flooding could cause at least 11 billion baht, or about $327 million, in economic losses. The figure is an estimate rather than a final government assessment of the damage.
Although rainfall has eased in Bangkok, authorities continue to monitor water levels and assist affected communities. Further heavy rain remains possible in parts of Thailand, while existing floodwater continues to affect communities in the capital and other provinces.