To address the potential high temperatures and reduced rainfall brought by the El Niño phenomenon, Thailand has deployed six artificial rain-making units nationwide to strengthen drought resistance and water resource allocation.
Ratchane, Director of the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department of Thailand, stated that according to the Meteorological Department's assessment in March, weather conditions are expected to enter the El Niño phase starting May 2026, potentially lasting until the end of the year.
He said this phenomenon is expected to result in extreme high temperatures and rainfall levels below normal, posing widespread risks to agricultural areas.
To this end, the authorities have set up artificial rain operation units in drought-prone areas, aiming to replenish reservoir water storage and provide additional moisture for forests and farmland whenever weather permits.
This measure is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' preventive plan, covering four major strategies: 'water storage, water supplementation, adaptation, and monitoring.'
Ratchane pointed out that related cloud seeding operations began on March 1, 2026, to support water-scarce areas and boost reservoir water levels.
As of April 30, operations have been conducted for 53 days, with 446 flights and a successful rainfall rate of 98.11%, covering 33 provinces nationwide, including Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chanthaburi, and Songkhla—all key agricultural areas.
In total, about 80.08 million rai of land have benefited, with 12 large and 51 medium and small reservoirs replenished, reaching a total water storage volume of 55.13 million cubic meters.
Due to rising risks of drought and 'super El Niño,' authorities adjusted operation plans starting May 1 to improve cloud seeding efficiency.
Currently, the six operation units are deployed in Phitsanulok, Buriram, Surat Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Chanthaburi, and Phetchaburi, each equipped with aircraft of various sizes and supported by Royal Thai Air Force models to carry out their missions.
Moreover, the authorities are carrying out air pollution mitigation operations—including artificial rain-making and cloud interventions—in Bangkok and surrounding areas, as well as northern and northeastern regions, to reduce PM2.5 concentrations.
Data shows that these measures have achieved varying degrees of effectiveness in many areas, with overall air quality having improved to moderate or good levels.
The meteorological department is also keeping three hail suppression units on standby to respond to strong convective weather changes during the summer.
He said this phenomenon is expected to result in extreme high temperatures and rainfall levels below normal, posing widespread risks to agricultural areas.
To this end, the authorities have set up artificial rain operation units in drought-prone areas, aiming to replenish reservoir water storage and provide additional moisture for forests and farmland whenever weather permits.
This measure is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' preventive plan, covering four major strategies: 'water storage, water supplementation, adaptation, and monitoring.'
Ratchane pointed out that related cloud seeding operations began on March 1, 2026, to support water-scarce areas and boost reservoir water levels.
As of April 30, operations have been conducted for 53 days, with 446 flights and a successful rainfall rate of 98.11%, covering 33 provinces nationwide, including Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chanthaburi, and Songkhla—all key agricultural areas.
In total, about 80.08 million rai of land have benefited, with 12 large and 51 medium and small reservoirs replenished, reaching a total water storage volume of 55.13 million cubic meters.
Due to rising risks of drought and 'super El Niño,' authorities adjusted operation plans starting May 1 to improve cloud seeding efficiency.
Currently, the six operation units are deployed in Phitsanulok, Buriram, Surat Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Chanthaburi, and Phetchaburi, each equipped with aircraft of various sizes and supported by Royal Thai Air Force models to carry out their missions.
Moreover, the authorities are carrying out air pollution mitigation operations—including artificial rain-making and cloud interventions—in Bangkok and surrounding areas, as well as northern and northeastern regions, to reduce PM2.5 concentrations.
Data shows that these measures have achieved varying degrees of effectiveness in many areas, with overall air quality having improved to moderate or good levels.
The meteorological department is also keeping three hail suppression units on standby to respond to strong convective weather changes during the summer.