Floods in Thailand claim at least eight lives — Cyprus Mail

Heavy downpours have caused widespread flooding in Bangkok and other regions of Thailand: at least eight people have died, and more than 580,000 households have been affected by the disaster. In the country’s capital, thousands of residents have taken shelter in evacuation centres, while in some areas people were moving through waist-deep water, Cyprus Mail reports.

According to Thailand’s Interior Ministry, floods have affected 41 provinces since September 16. More than 80,000 people in flooded areas are unable to leave their homes. To help the population, authorities have deployed boats and mobile kitchens to provide people with food during the flooding and for at least seven days after the water recedes.

Flooded areas of Bangkok

Bangkok received 320 mm of rainfall over two to three days last week — almost as much as the city usually receives during the whole of September. The capital’s drainage system could not cope with the volume of water, resulting in entire neighbourhoods being flooded.

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At least 5,901 Bangkok residents have been accommodated in 234 evacuation centres. In the affected Bang Kapi district, vendors sold essential goods while standing in water, using plastic containers and barrels that floated on the surface. Some traders moved their goods closer to the edge of the market so that customers would not have to stand for long in flooded aisles.

Evacuation and economic losses

In the coastal province of Rayong in eastern Thailand, authorities ordered evacuations after floodwaters raised the levels in two reservoirs beyond their capacity. Rayong borders the country’s major industrial belt.

Rangsit University economist Aat Pisanwanich estimated potential flood damage in the country at no less than 11 billion baht, or about $327 million. In his assessment, the disaster could reduce Thailand’s GDP growth this year by 0.3 percentage points to 2.1%. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, in turn, estimates nationwide losses at about 12.3 billion baht, of which around 7 billion baht could fall on Bangkok.