Key facts
- About 40 people have died in flood-related incidents in Bangkok.
- Approximately 300mm of rain fell in parts of the city over about two days.
- Thousands of people are staying in over 230 flood shelters.
- Bangkok's drainage canals can handle about 60mm of rain per hour, with upgraded sections handling 80mm.
- The city's infrastructure is unable to cope with the current rainfall intensity.
- Suvarnabhumi airport experienced disruptions, including flight cancellations and luggage issues.
Bangkok is grappling with severe flooding after experiencing unprecedented rainfall, transforming neighborhoods into stagnant lakes and causing widespread disruption. Approximately 300mm of rain, equivalent to half of London's average annual rainfall, fell in about two days, overwhelming the city's drainage systems.
Authorities reported around 40 deaths related to the floods, with incidents including drowning and electrocution. Thousands of residents have been displaced and are staying in over 230 shelters. The Khlong Chan flat compound in north-east Bangkok has become a symbol of the disaster, with floodwaters reaching waist-high in some areas.
The city's infrastructure, designed to handle about 60mm of rain per hour, has been unable to cope with the intensity and duration of the downpours. Concrete construction has further degraded the canal network, a crucial part of Bangkok's drainage system.
Flooding has also impacted critical infrastructure, causing flight cancellations and luggage pile-ups at Suvarnabhumi airport. Many schools have closed, and gridlock has paralyzed the capital, even affecting those in less-affected areas.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that the metropolitan area remains at risk from floodwaters flowing from the north, and a monitoring center has been established. The Thai weather agency has forecast more heavy rain for the upcoming week.
Scientists note that Southeast Asia has been experiencing a worsening trend of extreme floods, linked to climate change. Warmer seas and air holding more moisture contribute to more intense rainfall events. While the immediate cause was a low-pressure system from a warm South China Sea, the pattern of extreme rainfall is amplified by global warming, according to ocean scientist Nikolaos Skliris. The current situation is also complicated by an unusually strong El Niño, which can exacerbate extreme rainfall events despite typically leading to drier conditions in the region.
Naim Laeni, a consultant and lecturer, noted that authorities underestimated the strength of the rains, which persisted for days, exceeding the capacity of the city's drainage canals. He also criticized the government's communication regarding the seriousness of the situation.
Neighboring Myanmar has also been affected by the same weather system, experiencing flash floods and landslides.