Bangkok floodwater eases after affecting 329,000 households

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said rainfall across the capital was beginning to ease on Monday (September 28, 2026), allowing the city to focus on lowering water levels in major canals and accelerating drainage from flooded roads and communities.

Speaking at the Bangkok Flood Control Centre at 8am, Chadchart said the low-pressure system responsible for the intense rain of the previous two to three days had moved away, reducing the likelihood of rainfall on the same scale. Bangkok had recorded accumulated rainfall of more than 300 millimetres in some areas during the prolonged downpour.

Rain associated with the south-westerly monsoon was still expected intermittently. Overnight rainfall reached around 62mm in Nong Chok, 55mm in Lat Krabang and 52mm in Min Buri, adding water to areas that remained flooded.

Major canals remain key to drainage

Chadchart said the immediate priority was to lower water levels in Bangkok’s main canals so water could be drawn more quickly from roads and residential communities.

Several areas were beginning to improve, although levels in Khlong Prawet Burirom, Khlong Lat Phrao and other major canals remained high because they receive water from extensive catchment areas, including flows from outside Bangkok.

Pumps and floodgates were therefore continuing to operate at full capacity. The BMA has been using major canals including Khlong Prawet and Khlong Saen Saep as central parts of its drainage system in eastern Bangkok.

“We have to get as much water out as possible today,” Chadchart said.

“Once canal levels fall, we can bring in more water from surrounding areas, roads and communities for drainage. Some places may improve more slowly because it has to happen in sequence — first we lower the canals, then road levels fall, and after that we can gradually draw water out of the communities.”

Eastern Bangkok remains a priority

Bangkok Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon said drainage operations were continuing in the eastern districts, particularly Lat Krabang, Nong Chok and Min Buri and adjoining areas.

The city was coordinating with relevant agencies to increase drainage capacity, while additional pumps and equipment were being deployed to push water through Khlong Saen Saep and Khlong Prawet Burirom.

Wisanu is one of Bangkok’s deputy governors overseeing the city’s flood response.

Traffic conditions were also beginning to improve. Parts of Phetchaburi Road were gradually reopening, while Vibhavadi Rangsit Road had become more passable, although motorists were still advised to exercise caution and check road conditions before travelling.

About 700,000 people affected

Deputy Governor Assoc Prof Dr Tavida Kamolvej said data from the city’s command centre showed that approximately 329,000 households, or around 700,000 people, had experienced flooding to varying degrees since the situation began.

Among the heavily affected districts, around 30,000–40,000 people in Lat Krabang, about 20,000 in Bang Kapi and 30,000–40,000 in Khan Na Yao had been affected.

Residents were also still dealing with flooding in Saphan Sung, Suan Luang and Lak Si, including canal-side communities. About 10,000 people in Lak Si were affected, according to the city’s figures.

Eastern Bangkok has been among the hardest-hit parts of the capital, with some communities remaining flooded despite easing rainfall because of high canal levels and incoming water from surrounding areas.

Bedridden patients moved to hospitals

Tavida said that alongside drainage work, the city’s most urgent task was assisting people who remained in flooded communities, particularly elderly residents, bedridden patients and those unable to obtain food or drinking water or leave their homes.

Around 1,500 bedridden patients and other people requiring care had been moved from affected areas to hospitals under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The city is also monitoring requests for assistance posted on social media. When officials identify a request, they verify the location and coordinate teams to provide help.

People requiring emergency medical assistance or help for bedridden patients can call 1669, while general requests for assistance can be made through the BMA’s 1555 hotline.

Bangkok seeks boats, high-clearance vehicles and food

The BMA said it still needed public and private-sector support, particularly:

• Relief bags
• Ready-to-eat meals
• Drinking water
• High-clearance vehicles
• Small flat-bottomed boats capable of entering narrow sois
• Mobile field kitchens

Those wishing to provide assistance can contact the city on 02-248-5115 or through hotline 1555.

Tavida said the BMA and disaster prevention agencies would work on Monday afternoon to simplify procedures for residents seeking assistance and compensation, with further details to be announced.

“All agencies are still working at full capacity, pumping and pushing out water, distributing food and drinking water, and helping people who remain stranded,” Chadchart said.

“We expect canal levels to continue falling. Once they do, we can gradually drain water from roads and communities. We are now fully focused on caring for residents and removing the floodwater as quickly as possible.”

 

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."