Bangkok to Clear Floods Within 7 Days as Rain Eases
Bangkok's governor says main canals will clear within two days and residential areas within a week as rainfall eases, with pumps moving 600 cubic meters of water per second to accelerate drainage from flooded eastern zones.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt held a press conference on September 28, 2025 to update the public on the flooding crisis, particularly in the Lat Krabang area. Last night brought 60 millimeters of rain to the eastern zone from Min Buri to Lat Krabang—significantly less than previous downpours that had delivered 200 millimeters. The Meteorological Department confirmed that rainfall will decline sharply over the next three days, providing an ideal window to accelerate drainage operations.
Conditions are improving in key canal systems, particularly the Sena Saep canal, which is helping draw water from adjacent areas like Chon and Bang Kapi. The Prem canal likewise shows progress, with water levels on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road beginning to recede. However, the Prem Prachakorayai canal remains the most challenging, requiring water to be pumped from Lat Krabang through the winding Phra Khanong pumping canal. The government has ordered the Irrigation Department and Royal Thai Navy to deploy additional pumping equipment to accelerate water movement from Prem Prachakorayai to the Phra Khanong drainage gate.
Chadchart stated that drainage must proceed at maximum speed, with pumps currently capable of moving approximately 600 cubic meters per second. Main canals are expected to clear within two days, but drainage from residential communities will be gradual and could take up to seven days. Regarding the Nong Bon retention reservoir, he noted it can still accommodate an additional 3 million cubic meters, though water flow to the reservoir is currently limited. The government has previously approved a tunnel project to divert water from the Prem Prachakorayai canal directly into Nong Bon, which is now in preparation stages.
On compensation for flood victims, Chadchart explained that the government will initially apply standard Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department criteria, as the affected areas have been declared disaster zones. Residents are urged to document all damage and losses. Approximately 60,000 to 70,000 people require food assistance, with each district responsible for supporting its own area. Additional special compensation may be considered pending government approval. When asked about future flood risk, he acknowledged that another heavy rainfall event similar in scale to this one could occur, though timing remains unpredictable. He emphasized the need for long-term infrastructure planning, including more water diversion tunnels connecting to multiple locations.
