Heavy rainfall overnight on Thursday 3rd October 2013, left some minor roads in Bangkok flooded. The main areas affected were Ratchadapisek, Ranintra and Phahonyothin. The flooding wasn’t severe and did not affect any major roads. The floods slowed traffic, but the city’s drainage system appears to be coping and according to reports, the flood waters soon receded.
According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Department of Drainage and Sewerage, the average rainfall in the city on Thursday 3rd October was between 4cm and 5cm. Watthana was the area with the highest recorded rainfall in the city at 6.5cm. Further heavy rainfall is expected in Bangkok until Saturday. Other areas of Thailand are also likely to be affected, including Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Petchaburi, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Phuket
The heavy rainfall has raised concern amongst the Bangkok population that they may see a repeat of 2011. However, authorities remain confident that the city will avoid any severe flooding this time around. Sanya Cheenimit, deputy city clerk at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration told the Bangkok Post that
the situation in Bangkok is not worrying because water levels in most canals in the capital are still well below their critical points.
North of the capital, in Ang Thong province, reports claim that although the levels of the river Chao Phraya were not at danger levels, 2 areas of the province – Champa Lo and Ban Hae – have been flooded for 2 weeks.
East of the capital, in Chachoengsao province, the Bang Pakong River was reported to have burst its banks on Thursday 3rd October 2013, which resulted in floods up to 50cm deep in several villages along the river.
Meanwhile, official figures in Thailand now have the flood death toll at 30. The deaths occurred in the following regions: 11 in Surin, 9 in Si Sa Ket, 5 in Prachinburi, 2 in Nakhon Nayok, 2 in Yasothon, and 1 in Sakeo. As a result of continued flooding since 17th September 2013, almost 3 million people have been affected in 33 provinces across the country.
Floods Receding in More Areas
As of today, Friday 4th October 2013, flooding has started to recede in the following areas:
Kanchanaburi, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Kalasin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Mukdahan, Phayao, Lampang and Mae Hong Son
This still leaves around 24 provinces and around 2 million people struggling with floods, with the possibility of 2 or 3 days of heavy rainfall across some parts of Thailand.
Sources: Mcot; Bangkok Post
