Extensive flooding and severe traffic congestion hit Bangkok’s roads this afternoon (Monday) following very heavy rain.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s flood prevention centre reported that 104mm and 93mm of rain fell in the Laksi and Bang Na districts respectively in the past six hours, while moderate rainfall was reported in other districts.

The Meteorological Department forecasts heavy to very heavy rain in Lat Krabang, Bang Khun Thian and Prawet districts overnight tonight.

In Bangkok’s nearby Nonthaburi province, overflows from the swollen Chao Phraya River and heavy rain this afternoon have flooded roads near the Nonthaburi pier and in front of the Interior College and a kindergarten.

A new sandbag flood wall, extending about 10km, has been built with over 300,000 sandbags, to protect the economic zone in Nonthaburi, but many locals doubt it will be able to hold back the river as the water level rises.

Long lines of slow-moving vehicles were reported on the outbound lanes of Phahonyothin Road, from Central Lat Phrao to Kasetsart intersection, according to FM91 traffic reporting. Similar gridlock was reported on the Bang Na-Trat highway, extending for several kilometers.

In Ayutthaya province, Governor Niwat Rungsakhon sent an urgent letter to the Royal Irrigation Department today, asking for the opening of sluice gates to drain water from the swollen Chao Phraya River into water retention areas, to ease the hardships of more than 27,000 flooded households in ten districts.

A number of households in Ban Krathum sub-district in Sena district have been under water for about two months and many residents have taken temporary shelter on roadsides.