More than 40 utility poles toppled yesterday over a two-kilometer stretch of Chalong Krung Road in Lat Krabang district of Bangkok, as a result of heavy rain and strong winds which damaged 30 vehicles, battered homes, caused widespread blackouts and left several people injured.
The utility poles collapsed between Chalong Krung Soi 31 and Soi 57, completely blocking both inbound and outbound traffic lanes.
No fatalities have been reported.
Traffic police have closed Chalong Krung Road, from the Suwinthawong intersection to the Chao Khun Thahan intersection, to facilitate emergency operations and ensure public safety. Motorists are urged to completely avoid the area and find alternative routes.
According to local police, eyewitnesses recounted that a sudden downpour accompanied by violent gusts of wind swept through the area before the power poles began falling like dominoes.
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) have deployed cranes, heavy machinery and emergency crews to the scene to clear the fallen concrete pillars and tangled power lines. The disaster triggered a massive blackout across the area and disrupted telecommunication networks, leaving several mobile data and internet services offline.
The road closure has caused severe traffic congestion on surrounding arterial routes connecting to Chalong Krung Road. Traffic police are currently diverting vehicles and easing the gridlock.
