Bangkok Floods: Thousands Evacuated Amid Heavy Rains
Heavy rains in Bangkok have triggered widespread flooding, displacing thousands and prompting a disaster declaration. Residents are scrambling for supplies while authorities work to drain canals and reopen schools.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Bangkok has been hit by a deluge of rain that has turned streets into rivers and forced thousands of residents to leave their homes. The city’s drainage system, already strained by the monsoon, has struggled to cope with the unprecedented volume of water.
What Happened
Between Thursday and Sunday, the Thai capital received more than 330 millimetres (13 inches) of rain, according to the national weather agency. The deluge has flooded markets, roads, and homes, leaving many residents stranded in their apartments or on rooftops. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared a disaster and ordered the evacuation of nearly 4,900 people, with about 52,000 households affected.
Daily Life in the Floods
In the Bang Kapi district, pedestrians in plastic ponchos waded through knee‑deep water, while others floated their belongings in plastic tubs. Shoppers found themselves waiting for hours in grocery stores that were nearly empty, as residents rushed to buy essentials before supplies ran out. A motorbike‑taxi driver, Aduenan Surorot, described how he had to leave his home to buy food because “people cannot get out of their homes” and “we are running out of food.”
Fresh produce at market stalls was kept dry in polystyrene foam boxes or hung just above the water level. Some stores ran out of stock entirely, prompting the prime minister’s office to urge the public to avoid panic‑buying and warn that price gouging is a criminal offence.
Government Response
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced that several roads remained flooded and that canal water levels were still high. He said authorities were working to speed up drainage and that hundreds of schools would be closed on Monday. On Saturday, he visited a temporary shelter in a school in the Kheha Romklao area, where about 1,000 people had been evacuated. Those sheltering there slept on cots and benches, with some keeping their dogs in hallways and others laying with blankets on classroom floors.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported flooding in 25 provinces across Thailand. More than 10,000 soldiers were deployed nationwide to aid in relief efforts, according to the defence ministry. Rain was forecast to continue throughout Sunday, with a gradual tapering expected by Monday.
Personal Stories of Suffering
Residents along the Premprachakorn canal have felt the full force of the flood. Kosin Nilset, a 44‑year‑old homeowner, said his house was submerged for about 30 hours and that this time the water level was higher than the 2011 flood that killed more than 500 people. He used a broom to sweep out water from his living room.
Thidarat Silsuwan, 56, lives alone in a partially submerged house on the same canal. She refused to go to a shelter, choosing instead to stay and salvage her belongings. “I have been sleeping on the table for two days now,” she told AFP. Her story underscores the personal toll of the disaster and the challenges of evacuation logistics.
What’s Next
Authorities are continuing to work on draining canals and reopening roads. The government has urged residents to stay alert for further updates and to follow safety instructions. As the rains ease, the focus will shift to recovery efforts, including restoring power, repairing homes, and supporting businesses that were hit hard by the flood.
Key facts
- Bangkok received record rainfall, flooding streets and homes
- Nearly 5,000 residents evacuated; 52,000 households affected
- Governments urged against panic buying; price gouging criminalized
- Governor visited shelters; schools closed
- Flooding spread to 25 provinces; 10,000 soldiers deployed
- Residents share personal struggles, highlighting evacuation challenges
Why it matters
The flooding underscores Bangkok’s growing exposure to extreme weather and the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and effective emergency management.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were evacuated from Bangkok due to the floods?
About 4,900 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters.
What measures are authorities taking to prevent panic buying?
The prime minister’s office warned against panic buying and declared price gouging a criminal offence.
When is the weather expected to improve?
Rainfall is forecast to taper off by Monday, with a gradual decrease expected.
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Bangkok Flood Disaster: Thousands Evacuated to Shelters as Heavy Rains Submerge Homes and Roads”
