Northeast Thailand faces drought as the South braces for floods

Nakhon Ratchasima is running short of water while Songkhla prepares for the opposite threat: possible flooding during the rainy season. The contrast has put Thailand's water management under pressure as a prolonged dry spell linked to the incoming "super El Niño" continues to affect supplies.

The Nakhon Ratchasima Irrigation Project reported that Lam Takhong reservoir, one of four major reservoirs in the northeastern province, held 105.1 million cubic metres of water. Only 82.29 million cubic metres was usable, representing 28.21% of total capacity. The project said the prolonged drought could continue into next year and stressed the need to manage water carefully.

The reservoir currently releases about 0.51 million cubic metres a day to meet tap-water needs, ecological requirements, agriculture and industry. It received only 0.583 million cubic metres of inflow on Thursday, bringing total inflow for the year to 57.74 million cubic metres, or 22.11% of capacity.

Farmer Sala Piasai, 67, from Ban Si Kho district, said his 17-rai maize field was drying out after a long period without sufficient rain. He said he expected losses after investing nearly 40,000 baht and urged the government to provide farmers with more reliable water sources and stabilise fertiliser and pesticide prices, which are also rising.

In Songkhla, seismologist Paiboon Nualnil said runoff and rainfall from upstream areas, particularly the Na Mo and Sadao districts, would be decisive for Hat Yai's flood risk during the rainy season. He called for faster drainage around the Khlong Wa waterway and improvements to the R1 drainage canal. He also urged closer monitoring of weather forecasts and rainfall radar, along with faster and more accurate warnings to restore public confidence in disaster alerts. The National Water Resources Office, Royal Irrigation Department and Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said preparations were better coordinated this year with the central government.

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I expect losses after investing nearly 40,000 baht.