All 50 Bangkok districts declared 'disaster zones' due to flooding, residents empty out grocery shelves

Residents in Bangkok, Thailand have taken to panic-buying food and essentials from convenience stores as the city experiences ongoing extreme floods.

A video dated Sep. 26 circulating on social media showed people hoarding bottled drinks and stacks of ready-made food like cup noodles in a flooded store.

Another video featured a nearly-empty 7-Eleven store, as well as snaking queues of people in another grocery store.

People could also be seen wading through knee-high water on the streets outside.

According to Thai PBS World, people have begun stocking up on necessities in case the floods render them unable to leave their homes or if food deliveries become disrupted.

Staples like instant noodles, frozen meals and bread are disappearing from display shelves, while chain franchise convenience stores in Bangkok and nearby provinces are running short of ready-to eat-food and other necessities.

Motorists have also reportedly packed into service stations to fill their tanks out of fear that petrol and diesel will run out, said PBS.

Authorities keeping close eye on stock availability and prices

According to Inquirer.net, Thai authorities have ordered retailers to replenish supplies and are keep a close watch on the availability and prices of essential goods.

The Commerce Ministry is also coordinating with wholesalers and retailers to expedite deliveries.

Meanwhile, major Thai supermarket chain Tops has also set up a 24-hour flood response "war room" to manage store operations and supply chains.

According to The Nation, this involves ensuring that staff and customers are safe, installing flood barriers and drainage systems, and having enough essential goods to distribute across their customer base.

Extreme flooding

Bangkok has experienced heavy floods in late September after days of extreme rains.

On Sep. 25, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt declared all 50 districts of the capital city disaster-affected zones.

However, he has also asked residents not to worry about any potential food shortages, and urged everyone to stay home.