February outlook and key impacts
He noted that overall rainfall in February 2026 remains close to the long-term average, suggesting this year’s dry season may not be unusually severe, but said water management must still be planned carefully.
Dr Witsanu warned that higher temperatures could increase health risks, energy costs, and water demand, while dry spells could affect agricultural output, farm incomes, and long-term food security.
From a resource economics perspective, he said advance planning for water allocation is essential—covering water storage, irrigation management, and adjusting crop plans to fit increasingly variable conditions.
“Thailand should prepare for heat and drought from today, and keep monitoring forecasts closely. New models are becoming more accurate and can update their projections at any time,” he said, adding that planning to ensure sufficient water through next year is crucial and that all sectors should follow the situation closely in an era of climate disruption.