Bangkok: Floodwaters in Bangkok are expected to clear within two to three days as rainfall eases, provBangkok floodwaters expected to clear within two to three days as Thailand toll risesided there is no significant additional rain, the Thai government said on Tuesday.
Authorities have increased drainage operations as water levels begin to fall after several days of intense rainfall. However, several neighbourhoods remain flooded and recovery is expected to take longer in areas where water remains trapped or drainage systems are under pressure.
About 700,000 people in Bangkok have been affected by the flooding, according to government figures. The flooding has disrupted roads, homes, schools and daily activities across several parts of the capital.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said flooding had affected 42 provinces and Bangkok since September 16. As of Tuesday, flooding remained in 29 provinces and Bangkok, affecting about 940,300 households and more than 2.6 million people.
The latest government figures put the nationwide death toll at 23, including four deaths in Bangkok. The toll has increased as authorities continue to assess the impact of the flooding in different areas.
Bangkok has been among the worst affected areas after unusually heavy rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems. About 320 millimetres of rain fell in parts of Bangkok over two or three days, nearly as much as the city normally receives during the whole of September.
The heavy rainfall caused canals to rise rapidly and flooded roads and residential communities. Bangkok is a low lying city that regularly faces flooding during the rainy season, but the recent rainfall caused widespread disruption across the capital.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the priority was to lower water levels in major canals, including Prawet Burirom and Lat Phrao. Lower canal levels will allow authorities to drain water from roads and residential areas more effectively.
The worst affected districts include Lat Krabang, Bang Kapi, Khan Na Yao, Sai Mai, Suan Luang, Saphan Sung and Lak Si. Water has started to recede in some areas, although flooding remains in several locations.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has moved about 1,500 bedridden patients to hospitals as part of efforts to protect vulnerable residents. Authorities have also been providing food and drinking water and using pumps, boats and other equipment to remove floodwater.
Nearly 7,000 people were staying in more than 230 temporary shelters in Bangkok, according to Bangkok authorities. The shelters have provided assistance to residents who were unable to remain safely in their homes.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has directed government agencies and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to coordinate their response to the flooding. Authorities have been working to provide emergency assistance while speeding up drainage operations.
The weather remains an important concern. Although the low pressure system that brought the heaviest rain has moved away from Bangkok, Thailand's Meteorological Department continues to warn of thunderstorms and possible heavy rain in parts of the country.
Further rainfall could slow the drainage of flooded areas and delay the government's expectation that most standing water in Bangkok will clear within two to three days.
Transport has also been affected by the flooding and heavy rain. Thai Airways is dealing with a major baggage backlog at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where about 5,000 pieces of luggage were reported to be stranded.
Thai Airways chief executive Chai Eamsiri said the airline expected to clear the baggage backlog within 72 hours. The airline has also reduced parts of its regular flight schedule while it works to restore normal operations.
The flooding has also caused significant economic damage. An earlier estimate from an economist at Rangsit University put the losses at at least 11 billion baht, although the final cost is expected to change as authorities assess damage to homes, businesses, agriculture and infrastructure.
For Bangkok, the immediate focus is now on drainage and recovery. The government expects many flooded areas to improve within the next few days, but communities where water remains trapped or drainage systems are under pressure could take longer to recover.