Bangkok: Bangkok Mayor Chadcharat Sitibount declared the Thai capital a disaster area as widespread flooding affected several parts of the city following prolonged rainfall.

Some areas recorded more than 150 millimetres of rain over a 24-hour period, while Thailand’s Meteorological Department forecast thunderstorms and heavy to very heavy rainfall at the beginning of the week.

The mayor warned that the situation posed a threat to lives and could cause damage to both public and private property.

Authorities also issued an emergency warning to residents living near canals, urging them to move valuables and belongings to higher ground as water levels continued to rise.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has opened a temporary shelter to accommodate people displaced by the flooding.