The Saen Saep shuttle boat has suspended services after heavy rainfall caused water levels to increase.
Children enjoyplaying in the water in Soi NgamDuphli as Tropical Storm Nari brings widespread heavy rain throughout Bangkok and other areas yesterday. PATIPATJANTHONG
Krobkrua Khonsong Co, the shuttle boat operator on Khlong Saen Saep, yesterday announced the company had suspended services all the way from Min Buri to Phan Fa piers.
The announcement came after water levels in the canal rose sharply and flooded some of the piers amid heavy rain caused by the impact of Tropical Storm Nari.
"The high water levels have caused inconvenience and danger to passengers, so the company has decided to suspend the service," the company said in a statement.
Shortly after the announcement was made, one of the Saen Saep boats which was still operating crashed into a steel pole at Wat Thep Lila pier due to the strong water current. The boat cracked after hitting the pole and water started to leak into the boat. About 80 passengers managed to flee the sinking boat by jumping onto the pier. No one was injured.
Many roads in Bangkok were inundated yesterday as storms brought by Nari triggered continuous rainfall for a second consecutive day.
The tropical storm has caused torrential rain in the capital with all 50 Bangkok districts hit by heavy downpours. The rain worsened flooding in low-lying spots and canalside areas, including some roads in Klong Toey and Don Muang districts.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday inspected flood prevention measures in Don Muang district, one of the districts hardest hit by the big 2011 floods. He instructed authorities to keep a close watch on Khlong Premprachakorn and prepare pumps to drain water from flood-prone areas.
The Meteorological Department yesterday said the storm had weakened into a low pressure cell which was moving westward to Myanmar.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said a total of 68 people have now died in the floods that have hit 359 districts in 46 provinces since Sept 17.
The flooding continues in 4,109 villages in 93 districts of 22 provinces.
The provinces hardest hit are Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao. Less serious flooding is affecting Ayutthaya, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Buri Ram and Ubon Ratchathani.
Mild flooding is reported in Phitsanulok, Phichit, Chaiyaphum, Si Sa Ket, Saraburi, Lop Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom and Phetchaburi.