Bangkok Floods Ease But Thousands Remain Sheltered As Thailand Counts Rising Damage

Rainfall eased in Bangkok on Monday, September 28, but large parts of Thailand’s capital remained flooded after days of intense downpours, with thousands of residents sheltering in evacuation centres and more than 700,000 people affected in the city.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said about 329,000 households, or roughly 700,000 people, had been affected by the weekend flooding. Nearly 7,000 people were staying in shelters, while Reuters reported that at least 5,901 residents had moved to 234 evacuation centres. Some neighbourhoods remained under waist-deep water, while authorities accelerated drainage efforts.

The flooding followed 320 mm of rain over two to three days, nearly equivalent to Bangkok’s normal rainfall for the entire month of September. Four major canals rose too high to absorb runoff from surrounding communities, worsening flooding in low-lying areas. Bangkok authorities declared a flood emergency across all 50 districts, although the severity varied between areas.

The crisis has also affected vulnerable residents. The city has moved about 1,500 bedridden patients to hospitals, while authorities are using boats and mobile kitchens to assist people trapped by floodwaters. Thailand’s Interior Ministry said more than 80,000 people in flooded areas were unable to leave their homes and that relief efforts would provide three meals a day during the flooding and for at least seven days after waters recede.

Nationwide, flooding has affected 41 provinces since September 16, killed at least eight people and disrupted more than 580,000 homes. In eastern Rayong province, authorities ordered evacuations after rising water levels at reservoirs created additional flood risks.

The floods could cause at least 11 billion baht ($327 million) in economic damage, according to an estimate cited by Reuters. Bangkok alone could suffer losses of about 7 billion baht, with retail and wholesale businesses in the capital and eastern Thailand particularly exposed.

The Thai Meteorological Department forecast less rain in Bangkok on Monday and Tuesday, although thunderstorms were expected across 70 per cent of the capital and surrounding provinces, with isolated heavy downpours. Heavy to very heavy rain remained possible elsewhere, raising the risk of flash floods, overflowing rivers and landslides.

Thailand’s government has mobilised emergency assistance, while residents continue to face transport disruptions and difficult access to essential supplies as authorities work to lower canal levels and drain submerged roads and communities.