Bangkok starts flooding, city residents prepare

At least seven districts of Bangkok were partially submerged up to 30 centimeters or more early Sunday.

Authorities said flooding in the capital could last several weeks.

Some roads in the northern Don Muang district were waterways with small boats nearly as common as motor vehicles. Water was as high as a car tyre. The domestic airport was still operational.

A few kilometers southwest in the direction of the city centre heavy equipment was being used to reinforce barriers to a canal that intersected the major Chang Wattana Road.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra warned people on Saturday that parts of Bangkok would flood and residents should expect the water to stay four to six weeks.

Expressways would remain open and the government would protect the city’s drinking water system, power plants and important buildings, she said.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said water had risen more than 2 metres along the Chao Phraya River that flows through the densely populated heart of Bangkok. He warned residents to brace for flooding.//DPA