Eastern Bangkok floodwaters remain high despite easing rainfall
Bangkok is preparing evacuation centres and has coordinated with the military to arrange large trucks and boats to move residents and patients.
- Despite easing rainfall across the country, floodwaters in several eastern Bangkok districts, including Lat Krabang and Min Buri, have not receded.
- The persistent high water is attributed to runoff from surrounding areas, high tides, and the inability to drain major canals like Khlong Saen Saep.
- The flooding, which is waist-deep in some areas, has cut off routes, forced business closures, and severely impacted residents in numerous housing estates.
- Authorities are using military trucks and boats to transport residents and patients, and are preparing schools as potential evacuation centers.
Rainfall eased and floodwater levels fell in many areas on September 27 after prolonged heavy rain across the country, while floodwater in eastern Bangkok had yet to recede.
High floodwater persists in eastern Bangkok
A survey found persistent flooding across Lat Phrao Soi 71, Bang Kapi, Lam Sali, Ramkhamhaeng, Srinagarindra, Phatthanakan, Ram Inthra, Suwinthawong, On Nut, Nong Chok, Lat Krabang and Min Buri, with residents continuing to make complaints.
These areas have many housing estates and condominium buildings.
Connecting to public transport was difficult because water in major canals, including Khlong Saen Saep, could not be drained away, while high tides compounded the problem.
Some shopping centres, including Fashion Island, announced closures because floodwater had entered their premises.
Khlong Chan and Rom Klao housing flats remain a concern
The Khlong Chan housing flats in Bang Kapi were of particular concern, with large volumes of run-off collecting in the low-lying, basin-shaped area.
Residents at the Rom Klao housing flats in Lat Krabang were also monitoring the situation, with water levels in Khlong Saen Saep still high.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited to provide assistance, check water levels and meet residents, and assessed whether local schools were ready to accommodate evacuees if necessary.
Water was waist-deep in several places and deeper in some stretches, while some routes were cut off and impassable to ordinary vehicles.
Chadchart instructed officials to assess routes based on actual conditions and adapt how they reached residents, particularly patients and people unable to leave the area.
“The rain has stopped, but water is still flowing in from surrounding areas, so we need to assess the situation at each location,” Chadchart said.
He added that boats or large vehicles might be needed in areas with high water levels to move people safely.
Coordinating with the military to move residents and patients
He also checked on electricity supplies after power had to be cut in some places to protect against the dangers of electrical leakage and electric shocks.
He instructed officials to prioritise safety before entering affected areas.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has coordinated with the military to arrange large trucks and boats for areas with high floodwater.
These are intended to transport residents, patients and stranded people, as well as bedding and relief supplies from the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation and other relevant agencies.
The BMA is preparing evacuation centres, particularly Kheha Chumchon Rom Klao School, and is ready to adjust plans to match conditions on the ground to ensure help reaches all affected residents quickly and safely.
