BANGKOK, 15 July 2015 – The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has told drought-affected farmers to ready themselves for rice cultivation, as the rainy season is sure to arrive next month.
Based on weather forecasts from several agencies, RID Director-General Lertwirote Kowatana reported that the rainy season would begin in August. He explained the country has experienced an unusually long dry season this year due to the volatile climate.
Several meteorological institutes did not think the drought would last this long, given that water levels in the four main dams earlier this year were higher compared to the same period last year.
The impact of the El Nino climate was not noticeable until late May and early June, during which precipitation across all regions fell below average, prompting speculation of belated rainfall.
In response to the drought crisis, the RID adjusted its water management plan to reduce water supplies to 28 million cubic instead of 60 million cubic meters per day and request a delay in rice farming until the situation improves.
