Flooding persists across 26 provinces and Bangkok, affecting nearly 1.2 million households and 3.2 million people, according to Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

DDPM Director-General Nirat Pongsitthaworn said heavy rain in many parts of the country and water discharges from the North into the Central Plains have caused widespread flooding.

As of 6am on Saturday, flooding had affected 162 districts, 1,254 tambons and 9,219 villages across the affected provinces and the capital.

Ayutthaya remains among the heavily affected areas. Flooding has been reported in 15 districts, covering 181 tambons and 1,200 villages. A total of 48,704 households have been affected, while one person has died. Water levels in the province are also rising.

In Bangkok, about 329,000 households have been affected and four people have died. However, water levels in the capital are receding, according to the DDPM.

The department has deployed personnel and equipment to affected areas to speed up drainage, reopen roads and reduce floodwater levels. Officials are also helping residents, with priority given to vulnerable groups.

Assistance includes evacuations to safer areas, as well as deliveries of food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies.

In areas where floodwaters have receded, officials will assess damage to homes and property. The information will help determine assistance under government criteria.

Some households may qualify for compensation through the government’s new national disaster insurance programme. However, coverage only applies to damage that occurred on or after October 1, when the programme took effect.

The coverage also does not apply to areas declared disaster zones before October 1. Ongoing disasters will continue under existing DDPM compensation arrangements.

Thailand’s transport network has also been affected. The Ministry of Transport reported 319 affected locations, with 119 currently impassable.

Of those locations, 168 are on highways, including 41 impassable sections. Another 151 are on rural roads, including 78 impassable sections.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said agencies are monitoring high-risk areas, warning motorists and closing unsafe routes when necessary.

Officials are also repairing roads, bridges, drainage systems and other infrastructure where floodwaters have receded.