Flooded streets cause traffic chaos

Bangkok commuters were confronted yesterday morning with flooded streets and traffic congestion across the city following hours of torrential rain overnight.

Several major streets were under water, including all of Soi Sukhumvit 33, much of Sukhumvit Soi 22 around Sainampeung School and much of Lat Phrao Road, traffic police said.

Traffic came to a virtual standstill on Pracha Chuen Road leading to Phong Phet intersection.

Motorists reported the water in Soi Ramkhamhaeng 21 came half way up their vehicles’ wheels.

The water was so deep in Lat Phrao 64, it was impassable for small vehicles. Pracharat Bamphen Road leading to Ratchaphisek-Huai Khwang intersection was also flooded, traffic police said.

Traffic was slow on Phahon Yothin Road’s inbound lane from Ratchayothin intersection to the entrance to Lat Phrao Road and along flooded Soi Lat Phrao 80.

Navamindarajudis Bodindecha School in Wang Thong Lang district closed temporarily due to floodwater around the school, traffic police said.

The water was almost pavement high on Sukhumvit Road from Asok intersection to Thong Lor intersection, on Rama III Road near Talad Penang, Sunthorn Kosa Road and the Na Ranong Road intersection.

Jor Sor 100 Radio reported a severe rainstorm had passed from western Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon provinces across the city centre to Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Chanchoengsao provinces in the east.

According to City Hall’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage, 108 millimetres of rain fell on Benchasiri Park in Klong Toey district, 101mm on Klong Samsen in Huai Khwang district, and 94mm on Khlong Saen Saep.

Twitter users said water on several major roads had drained away by 8.30am, but some sois in low-lying areas were still flooded in the aftermath of the storm.

The Meteorological Department said more heavy rain is forecast for parts of the North and the Central regions until tomorrow as an active low pressure cell over the Andaman Sea moves across Myanmar.

Rain is forecast for about 70% of Bangkok and surrounding provinces, with heavy showers in some areas.

PATIPAT JANTHONG A mother and her daughter ride through a flooded street by Ramkhamhaeng University to get to school. Many areas of Bangkok were flooded following heavy rain in the early hours yesterday.