Flooding in Bangkok has disrupted traffic and forced some residents to evacuate after days of heavy rain left roads submerged across parts of Thailand’s capital.
Rain fell from Thursday afternoon until Saturday morning, with rainfall accumulated in the city’s major canals exceeding 20cm, officials said. Floodwaters spread particularly across central and eastern Bangkok, blocking roads and bringing traffic to a standstill.
Images showed cars abandoned on major roads after drivers were unable to continue through the rising water. Downpours affected much of Friday and continued into Saturday.
The Thailand Meteorological Department warned that heavy rain was expected to persist across most of the country through Sunday. It attributed the conditions to a strong low-pressure system over the central region and strengthening south-west monsoon conditions.
More than 84,000 people in 21 provinces had been affected by flooding by Saturday, with the central region among the worst-hit areas.
Authorities sent emergency warnings to people in affected locations through the mobile phone broadcast system, the government said.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said further heavy rain was expected through Saturday, but that flooding should begin to recede once the rain eased. City officials were working to drain the water as quickly as possible.
Several shelters were opened for residents forced to leave their homes, while some government facilities were made available for vehicle parking.
