Long summer ahead as rainy season in Thailand delayed by two weeks
People in Thailand may have to brace for prolonged hot weather as the rainy season this year is forecast to start two weeks later than usual, the meteorological department has said.
Rains are expected around the fourth week of May, with overall rainfall across the country approaching normal levels. There will be a pause in the monsoon from mid-June to mid-July, the department said.
The department’s website said that the rainy season would end around late October.
The total rainfall across the country is expected to be close to the normal average and similar to the previous year. Last year, during the rainy season total rainfall was around 1% above the normal average, while the total rainfall throughout the year was 6% below the normal average.
During the first half of the rainy season (from the beginning until the end of July), the total rainfall will mostly be close to the normal average. However, during the latter half of the rainy season (from August to the end of October), total rainfall is expected to be higher than the normal average by around 5%, the department has forecast.
From around mid-June to mid-July, there would be a lull in rainfall, which could cause water shortages, particularly in areas outside irrigation zones. People should use water wisely to maximise its benefits, especially for agricultural purposes, the department said.
The months of August, September and October will see the heaviest and most frequent rainfall. There is a high chance of tropical cyclones passing through Thailand during this time, resulting in heavy to very heavy rainfall in many areas and causing sudden flash floods. Rivers would overflow and landslides were also possible in several areas, the department warned in its forecast for the upcoming rainy season.
