Authorities in Bangkok declared a state of disaster after torrential rains flooded Thailand’s capital.

Authorities in Bangkok declared a state of disaster on Saturday in all 50 districts of Thailand’s capital after torrential rains flooded the streets and forced some residents to evacuate. The measure was taken amid massive water accumulation and traffic disruptions in several areas of the city.

The rains began on Thursday afternoon and continued without interruption until Saturday morning. Water levels in the capital’s main canals exceeded 20 centimeters, while flooding spread particularly across central and eastern areas of Bangkok. Numerous roads were blocked, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Authorities issued emergency warnings through the national alert system, including to residents of the affected regions. By Saturday, more than 84,000 people in 21 Thai provinces had been affected by flooding, with most cases reported in the central part of the country.

Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned that heavy rains would continue across most of the country until Sunday. The phenomenon is being fueled by a powerful low-pressure system over the central region and the strengthening of the southwest monsoon.