Weather office says La Nina already under way

Although snowfall will surpass that of last year, major dam water levels need constant surveillance.

The Thai Meteorological Department believes that the La Nina weather pattern is beginning to have an impact on local wind. Officials claim that the water level in the major&nbsp reservoirs may not be sufficient to meet needs during the dry season, which runs from November to April, despite the heavy rainfall in some places.

According to the district’s climate forecasters, La Nina first appeared in Thailand in July, and it will likely continue until the spring. Tropical winds in August and September does cause significant precipitation to fall throughout the nation.

In 37 provinces, the cumulative rainfall from May 20 to August 1 increased by 15 % compared to the same period last year. Some pieces of 12 counties are under water, with the hardest-hit be Chachoengsao, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Kalasin, Roi Et, Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon.

This year’s La Nina will not be as severe as expected earlier, thanks to factors such as air pressure patches and monsoon troughs, said Paitoon Kengkarnchang, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the National Water Resources ( ONWR ), citing information from the National Hydroinformatics Data Center.

There are concerns that water supplies wo n’t be sufficient for the dry season despite the anticipated heavy rains from August to October in some Lower North, Central Plains, and West regions.

Some significant rivers, including Bhumibol and Sirikit, have low water levels right now, but rain frequently leaves them.

But, he said two other main rivers, Srinakarin and Vajiralongkorn, are expected to benefit from La Nina, as they will get a large volume of water from current precipitation that replenished the Mae Klong River.

He claimed that the rivers ‘ water will be used both locally and to provide Bangkok and the Tha Chin River lake.

Authorities in the Northeast have already pumped water from the Chi and Mun river to make for more rain, according to Mr. Paitoon.

He added that the Office may conduct an assessment to make sure rivers had enough water for the future dry time.

According to reports, liquid from the Mekong River reportedly flooded Sawan Chai Khong Road in the Muang city of Nakhon Phanom state on Thursday.

Liquid overflowed into hunting tents and agricultural fields over a one-kilometre length, to a level of 40-50 centimetres, making vacation along the route hard.

Residents of the area have been warned by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation about the Mekong River’s constant, heavy snowfall in the northern region and Laos, which suggests that water levels should be carefully monitored.