PM Orders Urgent Response as Heavy Flooding Grips Bangkok
BANGKOK, Sept 28 (TNA) - Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul convened an urgent high-level meeting at Government House today to address widespread flooding across the capital, designating the Governor of Bangkok as the single command head to direct all relief and drainage operations.
Government Spokesperson Ekkapob Peanprasert announced that the Prime Minister directed all relevant agencies to mobilize resources immediately, prioritize assistance to heavily populated and hard-hit communities, and prepare preliminary emergency relief funds.
Priority on Eastern Drainage System
The flood situation is particularly severe in Bangkok’s eastern districts, where municipal authorities are working around the clock to discharge runoff into the Chao Phraya River.
Visanu Subsompon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, explained that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is focusing on drastically lowering water levels in two primary arterial waterways: Khlong Saen Saep and Khlong Prawet Buri Rom.
"Our core objective is to lower the main canals first so that we can draw water out of local sub-canals, roads, and residential communities," Visanu said. He estimated that bringing down main canal levels to target thresholds would take about three days, while clearing water that has inundated homes and low-lying communities could take up to a week in some locations.
Drainage in easternmost areas like Lat Krabang remains particularly challenging because floodwaters must travel dozens of kilometers through Khlong Prawet Buri Rom to reach the Phra Khanong Pumping Station. However, conditions around New Phetchaburi Road and parts of On Nut have begun to improve, allowing traffic to resume on key corridors.
Communities Inundated as Local Stores Run Low on Supplies
Despite ongoing drainage efforts, several residential areas remain severely affected. In the Kheha Romklao 64 area, floodwaters have remained higher than one meter for over three consecutive days following persistent rainfall.
Local residents have been forced to rely on boats for transportation, while many have parked vehicles along main roads to protect them from rising waters. The prolonged flooding has disrupted daily routines, leaving many unable to travel to work, while nearby convenience stores have faced shortages of instant meals and dry food.
Traffic Clearance and Weather Outlook
To clear clogged roadways and support emergency response teams, BMA workers and traffic police are removing stalled and abandoned vehicles from flooded streets. Relocated vehicles are being moved to secure staging sites.
According to the Thai Meteorological Department, light rain is expected through early afternoon today, followed by a brief reprieve before potential rainfall returns in the evening. Authorities noted that if heavy rains subside, drainage operations will accelerate significantly across affected districts. -819 (TNA)
