Bangkok Declared Disaster Zone After Days of Flooding

Bangkok city officials declared a disaster zone late last week after days of heavy rain left streets submerged in flood water as deep as a person's waist, according to the Guardian. The declaration covers Thailand's capital city and came as an area of low pressure parked itself over central Thailand for most of the week.

What caused the flooding in Bangkok?

An active low-pressure cell moved north-westwards up the Gulf of Thailand starting early Thursday, then settled over central Thailand by Friday morning, the Guardian reported. The system stayed roughly in place for the following two days, driving repeated heavy downpours and thunderstorms over Bangkok and the surrounding region.

One weather station near Prachin Buri, just north-east of the capital, recorded 213.5mm of rain in a single 24-hour period between Friday and Saturday evening local time, according to the Guardian. For comparison, the outlet noted that London receives an average of 585mm of rain across an entire year.

When did the rain stop?

The center of the low-pressure system shifted north-westwards on Sunday, which brought an end to the heaviest rainfall over Bangkok, the Guardian reported.

"Bangkok residents navigate streets by boat as flood waters rise," the Guardian's own video coverage from the ground was titled, describing conditions during the worst of the flooding.

What does the disaster zone declaration mean for residents?

The Guardian's report and accompanying photos show markets and streets still standing in flood water as of Monday, days after the rain eased. The declaration by city officials formally recognizes the flooding as a disaster, which typically opens the door to emergency resources and coordinated cleanup, though the Guardian's report does not detail specific aid programs tied to the declaration.

Is severe weather happening anywhere else right now?

Out in the central Pacific, Hurricane Nolo threatened Hawaii's Big Island over the same weekend, the Guardian reported. The storm first approached the islands early last week, bringing heavy rain from around Tuesday evening, September 22. By the early hours of Saturday, Nolo had strengthened into a category 2 hurricane and passed roughly 145 miles (233km) south of the Big Island at its closest approach, according to the Guardian.

Rainfall, not just wind, was the bigger worry for residents. Weather stations in the northeast of the island had logged over 530mm of rain since the storm's effects began late on September 22, raising concerns about flooding and mudslides, the Guardian reported. The storm has since moved westward away from Hawaii.

What should residents watch for next?

The Guardian's report does not specify a timeline for floodwaters to fully recede in Bangkok or for city services to return to normal. Readers in the region should follow updates directly from Bangkok city officials and Thailand's meteorological agency for the latest on road closures and cleanup efforts. For those tracking severe weather closer to home, HTT News has covered other developing stories this week, including a Utah judge's order releasing Douglas Carter from death row.

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