Thailand forecast to face severe drought this year

April 25, 2023 | 15:19

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Thailand is expected to face the harsh impact of the El Niño phenomenon around the middle of June, although this year’s summer season is predicted to end by the middle of May. This will lead to severe drought conditions, according to the country’s Meteorological Department (MD).

Thailand forecast to face severe drought this year

Illustrative image (Source: nhipsongkinhdoanh.vn)

Bangkok - Thailand is expected to face the harsh impact of the El Niño phenomenon around the middle of June, although this year’s summer season is predicted to end by the middle of May. This will lead to severe drought conditions, according to the country’s Meteorological Department (MD).

Somkhwan Tanchan, the MD Meteorological Observations Division’s director, noted that the average maximum temperature has been consistently around 40 degrees Celsius since the beginning of this month.

However, with the impending severity of this year’s drought far surpassing the situations both in 2019 and 2020, Thailand could face another series of high temperatures in the near future.

The MD has also expressed concern regarding the potentially severe health impacts caused by the continuous high heat. On April 21, the heat index (HI) registered an alarming 54 degrees Celsius in the Bang Na district of Bangkok, as well as in Chon Buri and Phuket, as reported by Chomphari Chomphurat, the MD’s director-general. The HI, also referred to as the apparent temperature, reflects the temperature perceived by the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.

An HI ranging from 41 to 54 degrees Celsius raises the risk of heatstroke substantially, particularly with prolonged exposure to the heat, according to information released by the Department of Health. Furthermore, an HI surpassing 54 degrees Celsius is associated with an extremely high risk of heatstroke.

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By VNA

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