United News of Bangladesh

Persistent rain has flooded several parts of Thailand’s capital since Thursday afternoon, disrupting traffic and forcing some residents to leave their homes. Officials said Saturday that rainfall of more than 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) had accumulated in major canals across Bangkok. Floodwaters spread through several parts of the city, particularly central and eastern areas, leaving roads submerged and bringing traffic to a standstill. Thailand’s Meteorological Department forecast more heavy rain across most parts of the country through Sunday, attributing the conditions to a strong low-pressure system over the central region and increasingly active southwest monsoon winds. As of Saturday, flooding had affected more than 84,000 people in 21 provinces across Thailand, with the central region among the hardest-hit areas. The government said authorities had issued emergency alerts through the cell-broadcast system to residents in affected locations. Bangkok experienced heavy downpours throughout much of Friday, with intense rain continuing into Saturday. Images and videos showed major roads under water, while some vehicles were left stranded after drivers were unable to navigate the rising floodwaters. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said heavy rain was likely to continue through Saturday but expressed hope that floodwaters would gradually recede once the rain stopped. He said city authorities were working to drain the accumulated water as quickly as possible. Authorities established several shelters for residents who had to evacuate their homes. Some government facilities were also opened to provide parking areas for vehicles, officials said.  

The Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok has facilitated repatriation of a group of 22 Bangladeshi and Thai nationals from Thailand to Bangladesh by a special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The flight was arranged on self-payment basis in line with the Bangladesh Government’s commitment to extend all possible assistance and support for repatriation of stranded Bangladeshis abroad. The Biman flight arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 01:30 am on Friday. Read:78 Bangladeshis, foreign nationals arrive from Thailand Since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok has so far facilitated 17 special flights from Bangkok to Dhaka in coordination with the authorities concerned in Bangladesh and Thailand. Read: More people return to Dhaka from Thailand by special flight Officials of the Embassy saw the passengers off at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and extended necessary consular and other assistance for their departure formalities.