BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s central disaster management agency instructed all provinces to prepare early and comprehensively for a potentially severe drought in 2026, with a priority on protecting household drinking water and rapid support during shortages.
Government responds to drought warnings
The NDPMC based its orders on reports from the meteorological authority indicating that from mid-January to mid-May, large parts of the country regularly suffered from pronounced dryness.
“Many areas could face water scarcity in everyday life in 2026, problems in agriculture and even a lack of raw water for drinking water treatment,”
said Anutin Charnvirakul, prime minister and interior minister.
Provincial plans and risk mapping
Provincial administrations were told to draw up concrete drought emergency plans, systematically register alternative water sources and adapt risk assessments to local conditions. Working groups in provincial disaster centres were to continuously monitor and analyse weather data, inflows, rainfall, reservoir levels and consumption across all sectors.
Logistics, equipment and infrastructure readiness
Under the government’s guidelines, the military and civilian administrations, local authorities, private sector and relief organisations had to closely coordinate their readiness and keep personnel, materials and equipment available around the clock. Planned measures included deploying pumps, tanker trucks and other specialist equipment, while communal water tanks and village systems were to be inspected, repaired and backed by clear and fair distribution plans.
Public information, security and health protection
Authorities were asked to step up public information, issue early warnings and explain water management measures, while also calling for water savings and the cultivation of low-water crops. In the event of emerging or anticipated drought, command units at provincial and district level were to be established to first resolve household shortages, curb typical dry-season illnesses and, together with the military and police, prevent theft and conflicts over irrigation water.
DDPM pledges nationwide operational support
Teerapat Katchamat, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), stressed that his agency was ready to strictly implement the NDPMC directives and equip all 18 regional centres for drought operations. This included long-range pumping systems, vehicles for drinking water treatment and water transporters that could be quickly redeployed to affected provinces during supra-regional emergencies.
Reporting channels for affected residents
According to the DDPM, provinces that were overwhelmed could request direct support to launch rapid, coordinated relief operations. People already affected by dryness or witnessing emergencies were urged to report incidents via the THAI DISASTER ALERT app or the 24-hour 1784 hotline, with Anutin assuring that authorities were determined to secure supplies of drinking and domestic water.