El Niño effects forecast to get worse from November to January_210923

Thailand is facing moderate El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which is expected to worsen in November and last until next January, according to secretary general of the National Water Resources Office.

Although ENSO is currently weak, the official said that it has already affected precipitation in Thailand, with total accumulated rainfall being about 14% less than normal. Total accumulated rainfall in the central region this year is 31% less than normal and the total amount of usable water until November is estimated at 24.3 billion cubic metres, about 11.4 billion cubic metres less than last year.

He said there has been widespread rain in many parts of the country, which is expected to add about 3.1 billion cubic metres of water to the country’s reservoirs. The country’s National Water Resources Office has issued a water management plan, to cope with water scarcity and the warmer weather at the end of this year into early next.