Thai floods cripple air cargo, force Toyota plant shutdowns - TimesLIVE

Floods in Thailand have caused the temporary shutdown of four Toyota plants and the suspension of cargo operations of flag carrier Thai Airways, the companies said on Wednesday.

The capital, Bangkok, was declared a disaster-affected zone after it was hit with heavy rainfall of 320mm in just three days late last week, nearly as much as the city typically has in all of September.

Flooding has disrupted parts deliveries to Toyota’s Thai unit, which has suspended operations at three plants and a facility at its joint venture, Toyota Auto Works, a Toyota spokesperson said.

The company said it was co-ordinating with suppliers to restore deliveries and restart operations as soon as possible.

Thai Airways said many of its employees were unable to travel to work and the airline has stopped accepting inbound and outbound cargo from Wednesday until October 6, adding those services would resume as soon as possible.

At least 24 people have been killed in the flooding, with 44 of Thailand’s 77 provinces affected, the interior ministry said. Flooding was still prevalent in 32 of those provinces on Wednesday.

Government spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises said the death toll was 40, citing health ministry figures. Ekkapob said authorities were draining floodwater in Bangkok into canals and trying to return the situation to normal for residents in two or three days.

Bangkok’s main gateways were running, but the floods caused chaos at the main Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday, with half its personnel unable to come to work, thousands of bags piling up and many flights cancelled.