Farmers asked to wait for wet season before planting

The Meteorological Department expects about 5 percent less rainfall this year, adding that rain should arrive at the end of May before conditions dry up in July and August, RID deputy director-general Taweesak Thanadechopol said on Tuesday (May 5).
Rainfall patterns this year are forecast to match unusual conditions in 1995, with upper Thailand getting plenty of rain.
RID projects that on November 1, the end of the rainy season, three major reservoirs will be at 31-50 percent capacity. These are Lam Nang Rong Dam in Buriram province, Lam Chae in Nakhon Ratchasima province, and Mae Kuang in Chiang Mai province. However, its November 1 forecast for Ubonrat Dam in Khon Kaen province is more than 80 percent capacity.
"There was concern that Thailand would face drought throughout the year, but now it has entered the rainy season,” said Taweesak.
“From August to September, the La Niña phenomenon will help to relieve drought to a certain extent, but people should still help save water for consumption by using containers such as buckets and jars to store rainwater for use during the dry season," he added.
However, the RID has asked farmers who are preparing to sow rice crops to wait until the Meteorological Department officially announces the beginning of the rainy season before planting. The exception is those who farm areas irrigated by water from the Lam Pao, Nam Un, Mae Kuang, or Sirindhorn dams, who may start planting without waiting for the announcement.