BANGKOK, Thailand – A severe rainstorm caused significant damage on Friday evening, toppling approximately 40 electricity poles in the Lat Krabang district and blocking a two-kilometer stretch of Chalong Krung Road.
Rund 40 Strommasten knicken um
Around 5:30 PM, a storm cell with swirling winds swept across the eastern edge of Bangkok. Eyewitnesses described a powerful wind vortex on Chalong Krung Road, between Soi 31 and 57, that pushed over poles on both sides. Within minutes, traffic collapsed over a two-kilometer section of the road. Falling power lines rendered the street impassable and tore roofs from surrounding houses.
Rettungskräfte und Anwohner helfen im strömenden Regen
Several vehicles were trapped, with at least two individuals pinned inside. In one instance, a fallen pole crushed the front of a limousine, leaving the driver unable to escape. Rescue teams from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation, along with local residents, brought cutting tools to free the trapped victims in the pouring rain. The rescuers worked under pressure as further gusts of wind passed over the scene.
Etwa 30 Fahrzeuge beschädigt – drei Menschen im Krankenhaus
Initial assessments indicate that approximately 30 vehicles were struck by toppling poles or falling cables. Rescuers provided first aid to three injured individuals on-site before transporting them to a nearby hospital. Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific nature of their injuries. The Lat Krabang district office confirmed no life-threatening conditions or fatalities, stating that all affected individuals survived.
Hunderte Haushalte ohne Strom – Aufräumarbeiten laufen
Hundreds of homes and businesses lost both electricity and internet service due to the pole collapses. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority mobilized cleanup crews on Friday evening to remove the downed poles and cables from the roadway. Technicians are working intensively to restore power and reopen Chalong Krung Road. The timeline for replacing the last of the fallen poles remained uncertain at the end of Friday.