Heavy rain to continue in Bangkok, northern areas (Updated)

A huge electrical storm and heavy rain pounded Bangkok late Wednesday and early Thursday, flooding most roads in the city and causing problems for the Thursday morning commute. More rain is expected through Sunday.

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Evening update

Widespread city flooding, water slowly draining

Online reporters

Bangkok faced city-wide flooding following heavy rain late Wednesday and early Thursday with 23 stretches on major roads under water and Wang Thong Lang district the hardest hit.

Water was draining off but many areas remained flooded into the afternoon. More rain is forecast through the weekend.   

Around 1pm, there was still floodwater on Ratchadapisek Road and in several sois, particularly Soi Ratchadapisek 16 that also links to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

A similar situation was reported at  Ngam Wong Wan intersection, Pracha Chuen, Lat Phrao, Ram Khamhaeng, Pattanakarn, Bang Na, Sri Nakarin and Chaeng Watthana areas, according to City Hall.

The flood prevention centre of City Hall's drainage and sewerage department reported the rainstorm hit the capital about 11pm on Wednesday, bringing torrential falls much of Bangkok and the Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River.

Wang Thong Lang had heaviest rainfall with 169 millimetres. Heavy flooding was reported at 23 spots on major roads. Water on Ratchadaphisek Road in front of the Criminal Court was 20cm deep.

On average, between 90mm and 130mm of rain fell in the city, according to the centre.

Morning story

Heavy rain warning for North, Northeast then Bangkok

Online Reporters

A huge electrical storm and heavy rain pounded Bangkok late Wednesday and early Thursday, flooding most roads in the city and heralding problems for the Thursday morning commute.

The storm hit the capital before midnight and continued into early Thursday. It moved off from eastern Bangkok about 1.30am but drizzles continued in much of the city until after dawn with occasional downpours.

Motorists reported traffic jams on elevated highways, while many city streets were impassable because of the floods.

Several schools announced they would not attempt to open on Thursday – among them Ratwinit Bangkaew in the Si Nakarin area, Bodindecha in Lat Phrao and Amatayakul School.

The flooding was draining early Thursday, but there were inevitable traffic jams during the Thursday morning commute after dawn.

The Bangkok storm is part of a massive weather system stretching from the far North of Thailand into the Northeast, Central and East.

Heavy rain is forecast for most provinces in the northern and northeastern regions over the next few days.

The downpour will hit Bangkok again on Thursday and Friday, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.

A low pressure area over Vietnam and strong winds in the Andaman Sea are gathering pace and will bring rainfall to Thailand until Sunday.

Intermittent heavy rain is expected in 10 provinces in the northern region and 15 provinces in the northeastern region from Wednesday to Sunday. They include Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

Other parts of the country, including Bangkok, are likely to be on the receiving end from Friday. Flash floods are possible in areas near mountains.

Many parts of the country have been getting rain since last week. Eight districts of Sukhothai and three districts of Phichit are still damaged by flooding, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said.

Pumps were installed to drain water from farmland in the two provinces and save rice crops.

"Farmers prepare for rain every year, but it has come very early this year," Somchai Thawornkul, a farmer in Sam Ngam district in Phichit said.

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