Bangkok Flood Latest: Evacuations Ordered in Capital, Northern Provinces Begin Cleanup
Bangkok is experiencing increased flooding in more districts of the capital city as floodwaters recede in Thailand’s northern provinces Monday, according to reports.
Thai officials issued evacuation orders for 12 of Bangkok’s 50 districts as flooding is increasing rapidly in the city’s northern and western neighborhoods.
The flooding that has already claimed more than 500 lives and displaced more than 100,000 people, is now threatening Bangkok’s subway system, industrial areas and the emergency headquarters set up to deal with the flooding, the Associated Press reported.
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Many of the city’s residents are ignoring evacuation orders, which are not mandatory, and are staying in the capital to attempt to protect their homes and businesses, according to reports.
Waters at Bangkok’s northernmost elevated train station have risen to knee-deep levels, the Associated Press reported. The flooding continues to move south toward the city’s central business district.
Officials have closed exits at some subway stations, though trains continue to run throughout the city, according to reports.
It is unclear how much flooding will cause the mass transit system to close entirely across the city. Provinces hit by floodwaters in the summer months have began to dry out in Thailand.
The Thai government has sponsored cleanup efforts for some areas. Backhoes were used to remove garbage that has piled up during the past few waterlogged months, the AP reported.
Officials announced the government would allocate $3.3 billion for reconstruction efforts after the floodwaters recede from the country.
The vast areas of flooding across Thailand are striking different regions at significantly different times, making recovery efforts more difficult, officials said.
"There are sort of three situations in the country," said Maureen Birmingham, head of the local office of the World Health Organization, to Voice of America. "There is the areas that, for example the North, that are already looking at early recovery and cleaning up; there is areas acutely, just recently affected; and then there is areas that are in this protracted state. So, you know, with each of those areas, different activities are happening, different risks, different issues. And then there is the areas where flood waters may go."
