All 50 Bangkok districts declared disaster zones as heavy rain triggers flooding

BANGKOK — All 50 districts of Thailand’s capital Bangkok have been declared disaster zones as heavy rain and widespread flooding disrupted traffic and daily life across the city.Eastern Bangkok was among the hardest-hit areas, the Bangkok Post reported.The disaster declaration allows the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), other state agencies and local authorities to respond more quickly and coordinate relief measures across affected areas.Residents received emergency alerts via cell broadcast warning that water levels in canals, already at critical levels, were expected to rise further.Thailand’s Meteorological Department said the severe weather was being driven by a strong low-pressure system over the lower Central Plains, Bangkok and surrounding provinces, combined with a strengthening southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, southern Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.The department warned Saturday that heavy rainfall was expected across the country through Sunday.The BMA said flooding in the capital could ease within six hours if no additional rain falls, with pumping stations operating at full capacity to drain affected areas.Residents in some neighborhoods also rushed to stock up on essential supplies amid concerns that flooding could worsen.