Bangkok declares flood disaster as heavy rain fills canals and submerges roads

Bangkok authorities declared a flood disaster across the capital on Saturday after almost 48 hours of heavy rain, with nearly 300 millimetres (11.8 inches) falling. Canals overflowed, at least 13 roads flooded, and residents waded through deep water. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urged people to stay home; Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he was cutting short a trip to London to return. Chadchart said the situation had stabilised by Saturday afternoon and that draining could take two to three days if rain stops.