Nearly 4,900 evacuated as heavy floods hit Bangkok

Nearly 4,900 people have been evacuated to shelters in Bangkok after days of heavy rain left deep floodwaters across parts of the Thai capital, affecting around 52,000 households.

Floodwaters force residents into shelters

The flooding followed more than 13 inches of rain in some areas of the city, inundating markets, roads and residences.

Deep floodwaters drove thousands of residents into shelters, while others tried to buy groceries or dry out their homes on Sunday.

The flooding has been described as Bangkok’s worst flood in 15 years, while Thais said flood warnings “came too late”.

Groceries run low in flooded areas

Pedestrians wearing plastic rain ponchos waded through murky knee-deep water in Bangkok, with some entering a supermarket despite the conditions.

Others floated their belongings in plastic tubs as floodwater continued to disrupt movement in the city.

“People cannot get out of their homes. We are running out of food, so I came out to purchase some,” motorbike-taxi driver Aduenan Surorot said outside a grocery store.

The 30-year-old said shops near his house were low on stock, and flooding there was still at chest level.

The situation matters because the flooding has affected tens of thousands of households and forced thousands into shelters while access to food and daily movement remain disrupted in parts of the capital.

Source: South China Morning Post