To prepare for dry spells during the 2026 rainy season, ONWR has coordinated agencies to monitor areas at risk of water shortages so guidelines can be drawn up to address problems promptly.
Forecasts identified areas at risk of shortages of water for consumption and domestic use within the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) service area at 21 branches in 18 provinces, and outside the PWA area in 24 provinces, 48 districts and 60 subdistricts.
PWA has accelerated assistance by laying water pipelines, pumping water from reserve sources, building temporary weirs, dredging and procuring raw water from private sources.
In agriculture, the Department of Agricultural Extension has continued to monitor rice paddies, field crops and vegetables, finding that water is sufficient until harvest.
For fruit orchards and perennial trees, provincial agriculture offices have worked with the Royal Irrigation Department to assess water conditions and inform farmers in areas with low water volumes of the situation, while advising them to dredge orchard channels to retain water.
On water quality, six PWA branches in four provinces were found to be at risk of water shortages, and PWA has prepared measures by receiving tap water from neighbouring branches and buying tap water and raw water from private suppliers.
ONWR and relevant agencies will manage water in line with local conditions and possible trends to prepare for all scenarios, helping prevent and ease impacts on the public as much as possible.
