BANGKOK, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Three districts in Bangkok have been declared flood disaster areas, the city's disaster prevention and mitigation command announced on Saturday, directing relevant government agencies to respond to the disaster and provide assistance to the public.
The announcement, signed by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Friday, said flooding in Nong Chok, Suan Luang and Khan Na Yao districts that day disrupted traffic and affected public life, leading to the designation of three districts, covering 13 subdistricts, as disaster areas.
Water over one meter deep made some roads impassable and submerged parked vehicles along roadsides, according to Thai media reports. Authorities advised residents to stay at home, and some roads were temporarily closed to small vehicles. Rainfall is expected to continue through Sunday.
The Thai Meteorological Department said the persistent rainfall was caused by the interaction between a low-pressure system and the monsoon trough.
The department forecast on Friday that from Sept. 25 to 27, heavy rain would hit many areas in the northern, northeastern, central, eastern and southern regions of Thailand, with extremely heavy downpours in some places. It warned the public of possible disasters triggered by heavy rains and accumulated rainfall, including flash floods, landslides and mudslides.
The department also warned that waves in the upper Gulf of Thailand could reach 2 to 3 meters, while waves in the upper Andaman Sea could be about 2 meters high. All ships were advised to navigate with caution. ■
