Thai rainfall faces below-average levels as El Niño prompts dry spell

[webfact]

 

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has indicated a below-average rainfall across several regions of the country due in part to the El Nino phenomenon. This unusual weather pattern, they warn, is expected to intensify throughout November, potentially persisting into the early months of the upcoming year, severely impacting the levels of Thai rainfall.

 

Chomparee Chompurat, TMD director-general, announced that despite the onset of the rainy season over a month earlier, a significant proportion of the country has experienced a shortfall in expected rainfall. This includes the North, Northeast, and Central Plains region encompassing Bangkok and neighbouring areas, the upper Southern area and the Western provinces.

 

Documented precipitation from the start of the year through to July 2 has fallen short by 25% nationwide. Looking to the immediate future, the TMD further forecasts that these dry spells will likely continue to sweep across large portions of the country until at least July 17, reported Bangkok Post.

 

by Mitch Connor

Top Photo courtesy of Freepik

 

#news

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/el-nino-prompts-below-average-rainfall-and-dry-spell-across-thailand

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-05

 

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[Geoffggi]

How about excavating where possible some of these water storage areas in preparation for when the rains do finally return or is forward planning not allowed .........LOL

[KhunLA]

I guess we're upper southern or lower central, but all seems about normal here.   Late start, end of May.  

 

The telling point will be late Aug/Sept/Oct.   Last year I noticed very wet, and longer season, up to Nov.

[jacko45k]

Just now, Geoffggi said:

How about excavating where possible some of these water storage areas in preparation for when the rains do finally return or is forward planning not allowed .........LOL

You would think it easy to find construction companies around here who have a lot of experience digging holes and then leaving them!

[KhunLA]

8 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

You would think it easy to find construction companies around here who have a lot of experience digging holes and then leaving them!

Was out yesterday on the scooter, and notice a few more private 'reservoirs' dug by residents, not the govt.

 

Haven't been out to the local lakes/reservoirs lately, but they were a bit low last time out there, April/May maybe;  Pranburi, Yang Chum & Khuean Khlong Bueng

[bannork]

It's been belting it down in upper Issan lately.

[huangnon]

We had a much bigger than average rainfall last year, especially in Eastern Thailand.

So fair enough.

[Reginald Prewster]

13 minutes ago, huangnon said:

We had a much bigger than average rainfall last year, especially in Eastern Thailand.

So fair enough.

In Mahasarakham area the rain is below that of last year but still fair. 

I started up my Permaculture farm and we have one employee 70 years old who was telling us to invest a little money by renting the surrounding rice fields.

 

This old fellow is a real wealth of knowledge and he also said due to last year heavy rains we will face a year or two dry spells which are fully normal for that area.

 

As soon we did what he said he popped up with his family and a load of used blue pipes which he laid through the borders of the rice fields to our lake.

Lucky enough we have him, the result is more than satisfying... 

 

Lake before. (The lower clay step is about 4 meters)

 

Lake now after a few rainy days

 

Well thought uncle... 

 

[KhunLA]

Quick peek and last year/PKK, was as wet as I thought.  With Oct being extremely wet.  Maybe another 300mm added on.

 

"October has historically been the province’s rainiest month, and during the first nine months of 2022, Prachuap Khiri Khan has already exceeded its full-year precipitation (10-year) average, which was about 1,113 mm.

 

According to data from the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD), from January 1 to September 29, 2022 the province received 1,138.5 millimetres of rainfall, which is 44% higher than the 1995 baseline year-to-date “normal” value of 790.1mm."

2022

Although their 1995 baseline year is a silly low one to pick, when yearly average is closer to 1162 m.

WorldClimate / PKK

[Seeall]

5 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

How about excavating where possible some of these water storage areas in preparation for when the rains do finally return or is forward planning not allowed .........LOL

Only thoughts are the money and the now...

[Cake Monster]

All that money spent ion infrastructure and maybe only 2 % of it on Water Management

I dont know how 95 M projected Tourists aew going to shower

[loong]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

a significant proportion of the country has experienced a shortfall in expected rainfall. This includes the North, Northeast,

That surprises me as here in Khon Kaen we have had a lot of rain recently. Very heavy most of the time, not showery.

[John Drake]

Obsessing over rain totals isn't going to make it come down any more or less than it will.

[KhunLA]

25 minutes ago, loong said:

That surprises me as here in Khon Kaen we have had a lot of rain recently. Very heavy most of the time, not showery.

Not believing the news-blip either, as it's been raining everywhere we've gone, the past 6 weeks, some lite, some heavy, some all day. PKK, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Phang-Nga,  Hua Hin, Krung Thep.

 

Only place where very little was Phuket.

 

Getting ready to rain here/PKK now.  And right on time, per forecast.

 

 

[zzaa09]

10 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

How about excavating where possible some of these water storage areas in preparation for when the rains do finally return or is forward planning not allowed .........LOL

It's all about reaction instead of more practical proactive. 

[natway09]

Up here in Mae Sot we are getting our share

[Troy Tempest]

Koh Samui Yesterday!

 

 

[jacko45k]

17 hours ago, loong said:

That surprises me as here in Khon Kaen we have had a lot of rain recently. Very heavy most of the time, not showery.

Well here in Pattaya we are certainly not getting much of the wet stuff....more like April/May heatwaves!

[KhunBENQ]

17 hours ago, loong said:

That surprises me as here in Khon Kaen we have had a lot of rain recently. Very heavy most of the time, not showery.

Some scattered rainstorms don't make a rainy season.

We live 80 km west and total rain is not overwhelming.

Reservoirs closed, irrigation channels dry.

[KhunBENQ]

4 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Well here in Pattaya we are certainly not getting much of the wet stuff....more like April/May heatwaves!

Without a knee deep flooded Soi Buakhao there is nothing to be called rain ????

[jacko45k]

Just now, KhunBENQ said:

Without a knee deep flooded Soi Buakhao there is nothing to be called rain ????

Yes a paddle down Soi Honey or ride with the water lapping around my ankles is a distant memory.....

[KhunBENQ]

Just now, jacko45k said:

Yes a paddle down Soi Honey or ride with the water lapping around my ankles is a distant memory.....

I arrived in 2011 (worst year in decades) and unknowingly drove to Pattaya in September.

Almost ruined my brand new car. Water around the ankles IN the car.

[scottiejohn]

23 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

unknowingly drove to Pattaya in September.

How do you drive "unknowingly"?

[KhunBENQ]

6 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

How do you drive "unknowingly"?

"unsuspecting" ????

2011 worst flood disaster in decades.

English is not my first language and sometimes I'd better look up the dictionary.

[KhunBENQ]

Funny enough a strong downpour has just started. Rain water barrel will fill quickly.

That follows the other thread warning of heavy rains ????