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BANGKOK EXPECTS FLOODWATERS TO CLEAR WITHIN THREE DAYS AS THAI AIRWAYS BATTLES BAGGAGE BACKLOG
Floodwaters in Bangkok are expected to clear within two to three days if the Thai capital receives no further significant rainfall, as authorities con...
By Wavers Multimedia
The flooding has disrupted daily activities and airline operations, with Thai Airways working to restore normal services after severe weather affected baggage handling at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
FLOODWATERS EXPECTED TO RECEDE
The Thai government said standing water across Bangkok could clear within three days if there is no additional rainfall.
The capital recorded about 320 millimetres (12.6 inches) of rain over two to three days last week, nearly matching the amount of rainfall the city would normally receive throughout September.
Authorities are monitoring weather conditions while continuing efforts to drain affected areas and restore normal activities.
The government is also expected to discuss longer-term flood management and recovery measures as part of its response to the disruption.
THAI AIRWAYS DEALS WITH THOUSANDS OF STRANDED BAGS
The flooding has created major challenges for Thai Airways at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where baggage handling operations were disrupted.
About 5,000 bags from Thai Airways flights remained stranded at the airport on Tuesday. The airline's chief executive, Chai Eamsiri, said the backlog would be cleared within 72 hours.
The airline had also experienced delays and cancellations as it worked to deal with the disruption.
On Monday, 34 flights were delayed, while baggage from 52 flights operated on September 26 and 27 was still being delivered to passengers.
Thai Airways also cancelled eight flights on Tuesday, citing the flooding and aircraft rotation issues, and warned that additional changes to its schedule could occur.
AIR FORCE PERSONNEL ASSIST WITH AIRPORT OPERATIONS
The disruption at the airport was significant enough for 69 Thai Air Force personnel to assist Thai Airways with its ground operations.
The airline has been working to clear the baggage backlog and return its services to normal as conditions improve.
BUSINESSES ACROSS THAILAND AFFECTED
The impact of the flooding has extended beyond Bangkok.
Thailand's industry minister said 1,267 businesses across 40 provinces had been affected, including 52 factories and 1,162 small and medium-sized enterprises.
Economic damage from the flooding has been estimated at more than $320 million, with losses potentially increasing if conditions do not improve.
AUTHORITIES FOCUS ON RECOVERY
With rainfall easing, authorities are concentrating on removing remaining floodwater and helping affected communities and businesses recover.
The pace of recovery in Bangkok will depend partly on weather conditions, with further heavy rainfall potentially slowing drainage efforts.
For now, the government expects the remaining standing water in the capital to clear within two to three days if there is no significant additional rainfall.