Floodwater advances further in Bangkok

THAILAND: Thailand floodwater is continuing to spread further into the capital, as the death toll for the country’s flooding has passed 500.

The rising water levels have pushed further into the capital’s commercial district, prompting residents to commute by boat, the Associated Press reported.

Bangkok’s subway system is also threatened by the advancing water through the city’s western and northern regions. About 60 percent of Bangkok is currently under water. Evacuations have been ordered in 12 of Bangkok’s 50 districts.

Thailand residents have become vulnerable to the spread of different diseases and bacteria through contact with contaminated water, and uncollected garbage.

City officials say that up to four million tons of garbage will need to be collected after the floods subside.

Some 11,000 evacuees are staying at shelters across the capital. The floods in Thailand, which are considered the worst in 60 years, began in late July and have been fed by unusually heavy monsoon rains and a string of tropical storms. It is expected that by 2050, the sea level near Bangkok will rise between 19 and 29 centimeters. Press TV