HII Hosts “Know Water, Know Weather: Ready for Floods” to Analyze and Forecast Water Situations for 2024 Rainy Season

20/09/2024

On July 9, 2024, the Hydro-Informatics Institute (HII) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESRI) organized the event “Know Water, Know Weather: Ready for Floods” to analyze and forecast water situations during the rainy season. The objective was to provide private sector organizations with data to support decision-making in water management in alignment with the current situation. Dr. Royboon Rassamethes, Director of HII, delivered the opening remarks, followed by briefings from data analysts Mr. Worapong Rerkkliang and Ms. Watcharaporn Soyjumpa, who provided insights into the rainfall forecast for 2024.

In the first half of the year, rainfall levels were lower than the 30-year average, and from January to April, the average temperature across Thailand increased, reducing soil moisture. The low rainfall has impacted agricultural production, causing prices to rise. Although Thailand entered the rainy season on May 20, resulting in heavy rainfall and flooding in several areas, May’s overall rainfall was 19% higher than average. However, rainfall was concentrated along the country’s borders and not in reservoir catchment areas, leading to low water levels in the country’s four main Chao Phraya River Basin reservoirs.

For the forecast for the second half of 2024, from July to September, rainfall in northern, northeastern, and eastern Thailand is expected to be above average. From October to December, rainfall in northern Thailand is expected to decrease, while southern Thailand will experience above-average rainfall, raising concerns for potential flooding in those areas.

The event also highlighted how to access HII’s rainfall and water level data through the ThaiWater.net website and ThaiWater Mobile Application, which can be used to monitor and analyze water situations in both normal and crisis conditions.

The event attracted representatives from 19 organizations, including the Friends in Need (of “PA”) Volunteers Foundation, Thai Red Cross, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, SCG, CrystalLa, Thai Beverage, Bangkok Bank, Thai Roong Ruang Industry, Kabinburi Industrial Zone (KIZ), ThaiNamthip, Haad Thip, Boonrawd Brewery Co., Ltd, TCP Group, Siam Kubota, Central Group, MK Restaurant Group, DHI, Kaset Inno, MCOT, and the Coca-Cola Foundation Thailand.