Bangkok declared a disaster zone as floods spread

The Thai capital, Bangkok, has been declared a disaster zone after days of heavy rain flooded main roads, submerged cars and forced thousands of people into shelters.

A flood disaster emergency was declared on Saturday 26 September, after 48 hours of continuous heavy rain. The Bangkok authorities declared all 50 of the city's districts a disaster zone. The city's governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, announced the declaration.

Waist-deep water

More than 300 millimetres of rain fell in some parts of Bangkok. Floodwater blocked traffic on main roads in 37 locations, cars were partly submerged and people waded through water up to their waists.

By Monday, severe flooding and landslides had killed at least eight people across Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar, where between 20 and 30 people were missing in the Tanintharyi Region. More than 1.7 million people were affected across Bangkok and 27 Thai provinces. Samut Prakan, just south of the capital, was among the worst hit.

Banks close branches

The floods disrupted daily life across the region. Three Thai banks closed 113 branches on Sunday as water spread through the city.

The response

The army set up shelters and field kitchens, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration opened schools as temporary accommodation. The city authorities said it would take two to three days to drain the floodwater once the rain stopped.

A city at risk

Bangkok sits on low-lying land close to the Gulf of Thailand and is crossed by the Chao Phraya river and a network of canals, which makes it vulnerable to flooding during the rainy season. The city was badly affected by major floods in 2011, which caused widespread damage across central Thailand.

Travellers to Thailand are advised to check the Foreign Office's latest travel advice and to follow instructions from the local authorities.

Travel advice

Bangkok is one of the most popular destinations for British travellers. People planning a trip are advised to follow the instructions of local authorities, check with their airline or tour operator, and make sure they have suitable travel insurance.