Bangkok Accelerates 7 Flood Response Measures, Declares All Districts Disaster Areas

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is accelerating seven key measures to cope with the ongoing flood situation, with Governor Chadchart Sittipunt prioritizing the safety of residents and swift assistance. Close coordination among relevant departments has been instructed. A central pillar of this initiative is the official declaration of all 50 districts of Bangkok as disaster areas. This will enable rapid and comprehensive assistance based on disaster relief standards. Each district will inform and guide residents on how to collect evidence of damage, such as before-and-after flood photos, to facilitate aid applications. The establishment of temporary shelters is also being expedited. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) schools are expected to be utilized as primary shelters, with their facilities and sanitation being assessed. Furthermore, plans are in place to secure temporary parking spaces in collaboration with the private sector for displaced residents, and to provide sufficient food, drinking water, and sanitary facilities. The deployment of sandbags is a pressing need in flood-prone areas. The BMA's Drainage Department will lead the procurement and distribution of sandbags and sand, while each district will mobilize personnel to work with residents in quickly placing sandbags in necessary locations. Traffic management and the provision of vehicles for resident assistance are also being prioritized. Districts and traffic police will coordinate to monitor traffic conditions and, if necessary, utilize vehicles from the BMA and related agencies for resident transportation. The removal of stalled or obstructing vehicles and the monitoring of bridges and roads potentially affected by rising water levels will also be intensified. Following the receding of floodwaters, cleaning of drainage systems and sanitation management will be thoroughly carried out. Districts will expedite the removal of garbage and debris from drainage channels to ensure smooth water flow, and will assess the need for and arrange mobile toilets. The hygiene and safety of shelters will also be verified. To ensure the smooth implementation of these measures, the BMA is demanding thorough information sharing and close cooperation from all relevant departments. In particular, close information exchange between districts and central departments is crucial to achieve a unified response. The BMA plans to continuously monitor the flood situation and its impact on the areas, and will flexibly adjust measures as needed.