At least eight people have died and more than 545,000 people have been affected by severe flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains across Thailand over the past 10 days.

According to Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), flooding has affected 25 provinces, with 545,022 people from 174,803 households impacted by the disaster.

In Bangkok, all 50 districts have been declared disaster areas. The DDPM said around 52,000 households have been affected in the capital, while nearly 5,000 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters.

The Thai government declared a two-day public holiday in Bangkok as flood response operations continued.

Military units joined search-and-rescue and relief efforts in the capital alongside emergency responders working to assist affected communities.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said drainage operations would accelerate once rainfall subsides, but warned that floodwaters could take several days to recede in some areas because of runoff flowing from northern regions.

Flooding also disrupted transportation and operations at Bangkok's two international airports.

Authorities urged residents to follow official warnings, avoid high-risk areas and evacuate immediately if instructed by emergency officials.(ILKHA)