Bangkok declares all 50 districts a flood disaster zone

Anutin Charnvirakul said he was cutting short a trip to London to return.

Chadchart said at least 13 roads were flooded.

Chadchart said the city is cooperating with nearby provinces to drain water out through other sides and limit what flows into Bangkok.

Kwan Nobnom said crews keep rubbish from blocking drains so water can drain quickly.

Kwan Nobnom said workers thought this year would be dry and did not expect flooding this bad.

Scientists warn extreme weather will become more intense and frequent as fossil-fuel emissions heat the planet.

The Meteorological Department said a strong low-pressure system over the lower Central Plains, Bangkok and nearby provinces is the main cause.

The Meteorological Department said Saturday morning that heavy rain is expected nationwide until Sunday.

The southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand is strengthening.

Chadchart assured the public there would be no repeat of the 2011 flood catastrophe.

The Royal Irrigation Department said Chao Phraya Dam releases are being raised from 1,850 to 1,950 cubic metres a second.

Witnesses said a Makro store in Ram Inthra was packed and its parking lot overflowed onto the street.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration schools will close on Monday.

BMA staff who do not need to be on site will work from home to reduce traffic.

The Thai Meteorological Department said the low-pressure system is moving west and north and rain over Bangkok should ease.

Chadchart said rain should ease around 14:00 to 15:00 and become lighter by 16:00 to 17:00.

Chadchart said lighter rain would let the city pump more effectively and water levels should fall.

Chadchart said the Chao Phraya has substantial drainage capacity and is not a major concern.

Chadchart said at least 93 roads should be avoided because of flooding.

Chadchart said flooding is particularly severe in Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi.

Saen Saep Canal remains at a critical level.

Some of the worst flooding is on small streets and in homes near the Don Mueang, Lat Phrao, Saen Saep, Prawet Burirom and Thawi Watthana canals.

Authorities are trying to divert water away from Bangkok, including toward Chachoengsao.

Chadchart said residents living along canals have been among the hardest hit.

Chadchart said the city expects to finish those evacuations by Sunday.

Bangkok has 233 shelters with room for about 15,000 people.

Temporary parking is available for residents worried about flood damage to their vehicles.

Chadchart said the situation could improve substantially by Monday if the forecast holds.

Chadchart said every district reported at a noon meeting that things were progressing well.

Chadchart said the flooding would provide lessons for improving Bangkok’s flood model.

Chadchart said the rain keeps falling and the city is doing its best.

Chadchart urged bedridden patients who depend on life-saving equipment to consider a temporary hospital stay.

The department said there was a risk of flash floods, forest runoff, mudslides and river overflow.

Chawalit Chantararat warned flooding in Bangkok and nearby provinces could last until Sunday, September 27.

Chawalit said daily rainfall of 100 to 150 millimetres is pushing major canals toward overflowing.

Water that could not be discharged quickly enough was collecting in major canals and smaller waterways.

Chawalit listed Lat Phrao Canal around Bang Bua as overflowing, and Rangsit Prayunsak, canals 2–16, Bang Khen, Prem Prachakorn, Hok Wa Sai Lang, Saen Saep and Prawet Buri Rom as close to bank level.

The assessment put the Chao Phraya about 40 centimetres below its banks near Nuan Chawee Bridge and at Samsen.

Chawalit said the flooding was mainly rain the drains could not clear, not a flood from the north or the river overflowing.

Those river readings came despite high tides and releases of 1,700 cubic metres a second from Chao Phraya Dam.

Chawalit put standing water at about 10 to 20 centimetres on roads and up to 50 centimetres in low spots.

Chawalit said this flooding should rise more slowly than a flash flood, giving people time to move vehicles and belongings.

Chawalit advised residents to watch for changes in household drainage.

The heaviest rain fell in eastern Bangkok, with Min Buri at 274.5 millimetres and Khlong Sam Wa at 273.0 millimetres by 06:00.

Chadchart said all officials are working at full capacity to pump out water.