The death toll from Thailand’s worst floods in decades jumped above 500 on Sunday as the seemingly unstoppable waters crept deeper into Bangkok, swamping main roads and threatening the city centre. The government said the disaster has now killed 506 people nationwide – an increase of 60 from the figure reported a day earlier. So far no deaths in Bangkok have been reported in the official toll. At least 20 percent of the capital is already submerged in floodwater contaminated by rubbish, dead animals and industrial waste, raising fears about outbreaks of disease in the densely populated metropolis of 12 million people. The slow-moving water is now just a few kilometres (miles) away from business and tourist districts, and authorities are desperately seeking to push the floods through waterways in the east and west of the city and out to sea.
In Bangkok, more than a million people have been told to evacuate 10 districts out of a total of 50 in the capital, and a partial evacuation order has been issued in five others. But many have chosen to stay in their homes despite risks including electrocution, disease and lack of food and drinking water, complicating relief efforts. Thai authorities failed to save a number of major industrial parks from the floods, despite earlier assurances they would be protected. The crisis is taking its toll on the lucrative Thai tourism industry, with countries including the United States, Britain, Singapore, Canada and the Netherlands advising against all but essential travel to Bangkok.
Thai floods death toll rises above 500
