Flooding Impacts 329,000 Bangkok Households as Aid Groups Urge Climate Action

Widespread flooding across Bangkok has directly affected approximately 329,000 households, leading to school closures and thousands of evacuations, humanitarian organization Save the Children reported on September 28.

According to the organization, affected children have faced severe flooding in their communities or have been forced to evacuate. Over the preceding weekend, around 4,900 residents from Bangkok's hardest-hit areas were relocated to temporary shelters. In other parts of the capital, floodwaters reached waist height, trapping residents in their neighborhoods.

In response to the conditions, Bangkok's city hall ordered all government schools to close for Monday and Tuesday, while other educational institutions transitioned to online instruction.

Save the Children Thailand reported that it distributed emergency aid to the Khlong Toei community, which includes the city's largest slum. The relief supplies included 300 baby hygiene kits, 400 children's kits, and 150 dignity kits containing sanitary supplies, clothing, and torches. The organization stated it dispatched the supplies from its warehouse in Mae Sot within 48 hours after raising an alert based on Thai Meteorological Department heavy rain forecasts.

While Thailand's rainy season regularly spans from June through October, precipitation in 2024 increased by approximately 9 percent compared to 2023. Bangkok remains particularly vulnerable as a low-lying city. According to a study by the OECD, half of Bangkok's population could be exposed to floods by 2070, with projected sea level rises of 1 to 2 meters posing severe long-term risks.

Save the Children is urging decision-makers and donors to invest in stronger climate adaptation, early warning systems, and reinforced school infrastructure to protect children from worsening extreme weather events.

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