Continuous rainfall since Thursday has left Bangkok’s roads and canals submerged, with water infiltrating homes and businesses.
Published On 26 Sep 2026
Bangkok authorities declared a disaster zone across all 50 districts of the Thai capital following three days of continuous heavy rainfall that led to widespread flooding.
The emergency declaration, granting local agencies expanded powers to respond, was announced on Saturday by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who reported nearly 300 mm (11.8 inches) of rain falling since Thursday afternoon. The relentless downpour overwhelmed drainage systems, submerging streets and filling canals to capacity.
Videos and photographs captured scenes of major thoroughfares underwater and vehicles stranded as drivers abandoned their cars in the face of rising floodwaters. Residential and commercial areas alike saw water seep into homes and stores.
Governor Chadchart noted that the eastern districts bore the brunt of the impact and cautioned that additional rain was expected later on Saturday. He emphasized that water levels should begin to recede once the rainfall ceases, as city crews intensify efforts to pump out accumulated water.
“The rain continues to fall, and we are doing everything we can,” said Chadchart via social media. “We are pumping water out, but the canals are already at full capacity.” He urged residents living near canals—identified as the most vulnerable—to remain vigilant.
In an update later on Saturday, government officials stated that the flood situation had stabilized, though they projected that it could take two to three days for the water to fully drain, assuming no further precipitation. “As long as new rainwater does not accumulate, the issue will resolve itself,” they said.
Governor Chadchart advised residents to relocate their vehicles to higher ground where possible. To support this effort, Bangkok’s Metropolitan Administration is offering complimentary access to MRT “park and ride” facilities until October 2.
Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng, reporting live from a flooded street in the capital, highlighted that while seasonal monsoon rains are typical for Bangkok, the duration and intensity of this event have heightened concerns among locals.
“Typically, we experience short-lived heavy showers followed by rapid drainage in isolated pockets,” he explained. “This time is different—it’s an ongoing deluge affecting the entire city, not a sudden flash flood.”
Somkid Pheuk-ngam, a 67-year-old street vendor residing near a canal north of central Bangkok, described the situation as dire, having closed her shop for two days due to waist-deep flooding.
“Water keeps rising. It’s impossible to leave my premises,” she told AFP. “This is worse than what we experienced during the 2011 floods.”
The catastrophic flooding of 2011 resulted in over 500 fatalities and extensive damage to millions of households across Thailand.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has issued warnings regarding a persistent low-pressure system affecting eastern, northeastern, and central regions of the country through Sunday. The agency has alerted authorities to prepare for potential flash floods, upstream runoff, landslides, and river overflows.
