Bangkok expects to drain floods in 2–3 rain-free days as five canals stay critical and city schools close Sept 28
Bangkok expects flood drainage in 2–3 days if rain stops and will close city-run schools on September 28 as five canals remain at critical levels
- Heavy rainfall has caused flooding on 93 roads across Bangkok, with five major canals reaching critical levels.
- All schools run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will be closed on September 28 to reduce traffic and ease travel for parents.
- The city is operating drainage systems at full capacity, with officials estimating it will take two to three days to clear the floodwater if no more rain falls.
- Bangkok has been declared a disaster-affected area to accelerate assistance and relief efforts for residents.
Bangkok is operating pumps and drainage tunnels at full capacity to clear accumulated floodwater, with officials estimating that drainage could take two to three days if no further rain falls. Flooding has affected 93 roads, while schools run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will close for one day on September 28.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt provided the update at the city’s flood prevention control centre on September 26. He said rainfall conditions had stabilised after persistent heavy rain since September 24, with accumulated totals reported at 100–300 millimetres or more in many areas.
The BMA has declared Bangkok a disaster-affected area to accelerate assistance and relief. Chadchart said the low-pressure system had begun moving and rainfall was expected to ease during the afternoon and evening.
The city is operating drainage tunnels and pumping stations along the Chao Phraya River at a combined full capacity of 1,200 cubic metres per second. The operation is aimed at draining 223 million cubic metres of accumulated water on the eastern, or Phra Nakhon, side of Bangkok.
Without additional rainfall, the remaining water was expected to be drained within two to three days. The BMA is also coordinating with the Royal Irrigation Department and neighbouring Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan provinces to manage water from Khlong Rangsit and minimise the impact on Bangkok.
Flooding affects 93 roads as five canals reach critical levels
Flooding has affected 93 roads, with critical water levels in five major canals identified as the main contributing factor:
- Prem Prachakon Canal: affecting Don Mueang.
- Lat Phrao Canal: affecting Sena, Wang Hin and Phahonyothin.
- Saen Saep Canal: affecting New Phetchaburi Road and Ekkamai.
- Prawet Burirom Canal: affecting Suan Luang, Phatthanakan and Lat Krabang.
- Siri Watthana Canal: affecting homes along its banks.
The BMA has arranged free temporary parking at several locations, including city-owned parking buildings, the Government Complex in Lak Si, and participating Central, The Mall, Fashion Island and Lotus’s locations. Residents concerned about conditions were urged to move their vehicles to safer places.
233 shelters can accommodate 15,000 people
The BMA has opened 233 temporary shelters at schools under its supervision, providing capacity for 15,000 people. At the time of the update, 981 residents were staying in the shelters.
The city, working with military personnel and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, had also relocated 36 bedridden patients to safe locations.
Although no general food shortage had been reported, district offices were preparing meals for distribution to affected communities.
Residents can request sandbags or report incidents through the BMA’s 1555 hotline and Traffy Fondue. For medical emergencies, call 1669.
BMA-run schools to close on September 28
Schools under the BMA, which are currently holding examinations, will close for one day on Monday, September 28. The measure is intended to reduce parents’ travel burden and ease traffic congestion.
The city is also considering changes to working arrangements for personnel whose duties do not require their presence.
The flooding has highlighted limitations in canal capacity and the drainage network. The BMA plans to advance long-term improvements, including work to improve drainage through the Prawet Canal–Nong Bon retention pond system and remove bottlenecks in Saen Saep and Prem Prachakon canals.
The city also plans to use observations from this event to improve weather forecasting models, with the aim of providing faster, more accurate and better-targeted warnings.
For those who wish to help our fellow citizens suffering and affected by the floods, you can make a donation through the following accounts: Nation Foundation Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri): Account No. 333-0-01399-6 Kasikorn Bank: Account No. 192-3-59782-0 "We will get through this crisis together."
