'Super El Nino' puts govt on alert

Aid plan for farmers in case of drought

PUBLISHED : 28 Apr 2026 at 07:07

A sluice gate of the Phimai dam in Nakhon Ratchasima province is closed on Monday to keep water for tap water production. Prasit Tangprasert

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has unveiled a nationwide contingency plan to mitigate the potential impact of a looming Super El Nino, warning that hotter temperatures and below-normal rainfall could threaten crops, water supplies and rural incomes this year.

Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said on Monday that the ministry had instructed all agencies to adopt four key strategies -- storage, replenishment, adjustment and monitoring -- to reduce risks to farmers and ensure water security.

The first measure focuses on strict reservoir management. The Royal Irrigation Department has been ordered to prioritise water for household consumption while carefully allocating supplies through irrigation canals to farming areas awaiting harvest.

The second strategy centres on rainmaking operations. The Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation will deploy rapid-response mobile units in drought-prone areas to seed clouds, replenish reservoirs and increase moisture in forests and farmland whenever weather conditions allow.

Third, authorities are encouraging farmers to switch to short-cycle, low-water and higher-value crops with reliable markets to reduce the risk of crop failure during prolonged dry spells.

The fourth strategy involves early warning and relief systems through the Agricultural Disaster Monitoring and Mitigation Centre, aimed at providing timely alerts and assistance to vulnerable communities.

Permanent secretary Winaroj Subsongsook said a special task force was being established to monitor El Nino developments closely, while public awareness campaigns were being expanded to help farmers adjust planting schedules, manage crops and relocate livestock in emergencies.

Mr Winaroj added that farmers could also access support through the Pirunraj Agricultural Service Centre mobile application, which offers one-stop information and services.

Officials are also integrating weather forecasts and reservoir data with the Meteorological Department and water agencies to improve planning during the dry season.

Meanwhile, climate agencies have warned that global conditions may shift into an El Nino phase from May, with the risk growing as the end of the year approaches.

Thailand's rainfall in 2026 is projected to fall about 18.6% from last year.