Bangkok: Thousands of residents are sheltering in evacuation centres across Bangkok after intense weekend rainfall caused widespread flooding, with economic losses from the disaster estimated at 11 billion baht ($327 million) nationwide.
Around 320 mm of rain fell across Bangkok over two to three days, flooding entire neighbourhoods and overwhelming the city’s drainage system.
More than 80,000 residents in flooded areas have been unable to leave their homes, while authorities are deploying boats and mobile kitchens to provide relief.
Flooding has affected 41 provinces since September 16, killing at least eight people and disrupting more than 580,000 homes, according to Thailand’s interior ministry.
In Bangkok, at least 5,901 people have moved to 234 evacuation centres. Residents in badly affected areas such as Bang Kapi have been wading through waist-deep water to buy essentials from makeshift floating vendors.
Economist Aat Pisanwanich estimated that the floods could reduce Thailand’s annual GDP growth by 0.3 percentage points to 2.1%, while third-quarter growth could fall by about 0.5 percentage points to 1.7%.
Meanwhile, authorities in eastern Rayong province ordered evacuations after two reservoirs exceeded capacity.
Bangkok and the eastern region are expected to bear the heaviest economic impact, particularly in wholesale and retail sectors, while agriculture and industry face losses elsewhere.
Thailand had suffered even more severe flooding last year, when at least 145 people died and more than 33,000 homes were inundated.
