Severe drought to grip Thailand for next 3 years

Thai people are being advised to brace for a prolonged and possibly extreme drought, which may last for up to 3 years due to El Niño weather phenomenon, according to the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) and Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).

Paitoon Kengkarnchang, deputy secretary-general of the ONWR, said that Thailand will start to feel the impacts of El Niño in July, with the hot weather intensifying from November into early next year.

He also said that, although there is no solid evidence now to suggest that El Niño will intensify to become ‘super’ El Niño, Thailand will certainly encounter extreme heat and prolonged drought, adding that the government has already instructed all relevant agencies to prepare for extreme weather conditions, especially in the management of water in the major reservoirs, to ensure there is sufficient water for consumption and agriculture until 2028.

He said the reservoirs behind the Bhumibol and Sirikit dams in Tak and Uttaradit provinces are now at full capacity, but several areas in the southern provinces of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon are already facing water shortages due to reduced rainfall.

Meanwhile, GISTDA Director Pakorn Apaphant noted that the unusually hot weather this year, with temperatures reaching 44oC in some areas, is directly affecting the ground moisture content.

He predicted that drought will linger for 2-3 years and the rainy season, which usually starts in June, will be short-lived.

He disclosed that GISTDA has introduced two platforms, called ‘check laeng’ and ‘dragonfly’, to help farmers in the planning of their crop cultivation during the dry season, adding that farmers themselves, especially those without access to irrigation systems, must adapt to the weather conditions and plan their new crop cultivation carefully by taking into account the availability of water.