‘Super El Niño’ could extend Thailand’s dry season into next year

The Climate Change and Environment Department has warned that the country may face the effects of a “super El Niño,” which could extend the dry season by up to one and a half years.

Citing the Climate Risk Index 2026–2027 by Germanwatch, the department’s director-general, Phirun Saiyasitpanich, said Thailand’s ranking among countries most affected by extreme heat has risen from 72nd place in 2020 to 17th in 2024.

Meanwhile, the Met Office reports that 2026 is among the four hottest years on record, with average temperatures about 1.4°C higher than pre-industrial levels.

Data from the Met Office for 2026 aligns with the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report, which identifies environmental risks as the leading threat to the global economy, he said.

To cope with the risk of a prolonged dry season, Phirun said efficient water resource management is crucial to ensure sufficient supply for consumption and irrigation in the long term.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department today issued its first warning of summer storms, characterised by strong winds, heavy rain, lightning and hail, expected from Thursday through Saturday in the North, Northeast and East before moving into Bangkok and its surrounding areas.

The department explained that the unusual storms are caused by the convergence of a cold front from China and the prevailing hot weather in Thailand.