El Nino triggers drought risk for 16.5 million rai of Thai agricultural land

[webfact]

 

Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry confirmed yesterday that an estimated 16.5 million rai of agricultural land nationwide will be impacted by reduced rainfall due to the El Nino phenomenon this year. The ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Apai Sutthisang, expressed concern over the impending dry season, particularly as the effects of El Nino are predicted to intensify in November.

 

The Royal Irrigation Department anticipates that by the close of this year’s rainy season in November, the country’s 35 primary reservoirs will contain approximately 22.8 billion cubic metres (m³) of water. This is a decrease of around 13 billion m³ compared to the previous year due to the unprecedented impacts of El Nino.

 

If current rainfall patterns persist, by November, the four largest dams in the country – Bhumibol Dam situated in Tak, Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit, Kwai Noi Bamrung Daen Dam in Phitsanulok and Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri – will collectively contain 6.8 billion m³ of water. This is a reduction of 7.7 billion m³ compared to last year.

 

by Mitch Connor

TOP: Thai farmer walking on parched land at a rice field. Picture courtesy of EPA/Rungroj Yongrit.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/el-nino-triggers-drought-risk-for-16-5m-rai-of-thai-agricultural-land

 

-- Thaiger 2023-08-23

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[Kwasaki]

Why not save water from the flash floods. ????

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry confirmed yesterday that an estimated 16.5 million rai of agricultural land nationwide will be impacted by reduced rainfall due to the El Nino phenomenon this year.

In another post Thailand braces for heavy rain and flash floods.

[Guderian]

Always look on thw bright side, with any luck, they'll have to cancel Songkran next year as the water will be close to running out, lol.

[Venom]

Great, so they can kick off the field burning season early this year! That'll fix it ..????

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, Venom said:

Great, so they can kick off the field burning season early this year! That'll fix it ..????

The burning of what exactly... presuming the drought prevented crop growth.