Bangkok declared disaster zone after heavy rain floods homes, submerges roads

Bangkok's governor on Saturday declared Thailand's capital city a disaster-affected zone after torrential rain led to widespread flooding.

Nearly 300 millimetres of rain has fallen in the past 48 hours.

Bangkok's governor said flooding should recede once the rain subsides.

Link copied Share Share article Bangkok Governor Chadchart ​Sittipunt on Saturday declared Thailand's capital city a disaster-affected zone after torrential rain led to widespread flooding, while the weather agency forecast thunderstorms ​over the weekend.

Major roads were flooded, with cars partly submerged, and ​people were forced to wade through waist-height water after nearly ⁠300 millimetres of rain fell within 48 hours.

Mr Sittipunt said the crisis "poses a risk to people's lives" and could damage ​public and private property, and added that the situation was most severe near canals.

The city declared all 50 districts a flood disaster area to help authorities respond quickly. ( AP: Adam Schreck )