Thai officials issued fresh warnings Monday as more rain and possible flash floods threatened several parts of the country, pushing the nationwide death toll from flooding since mid-September to 31.
The Thailand Meteorological Department said thunderstorms, powerful winds and intense rainfall were expected across much of upper Thailand from Monday through Wednesday. Low-lying communities face the greatest danger as heavy downpours could quickly trigger flash flooding.
Forecasters also predicted heavy to exceptionally heavy rain in parts of central, eastern and southern Thailand, with Bangkok among the areas expected to see significant rainfall over the weekend.
Several Bangkok neighborhoods were submerged last week after days of relentless rain, forcing thousands of residents to leave their homes and disrupting daily life across the capital. Conditions have since improved in most areas, though floodwater continues to linger in some low-lying districts.
City officials said they were working to limit the threat of additional flooding by releasing more water from Bangkok’s main canals, creating extra capacity for incoming rain. Additional pumps have also been sent to locations considered especially vulnerable.
More than 3.5 million people nationwide were still affected by the floods as of Monday, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. The reported fatalities occurred in eight provinces, including four deaths in Bangkok.
In response to the widespread destruction, the Thai government approved more than 4.1 billion baht, or approximately $122 million, in emergency funding last week to support flood recovery efforts.
