El Nino is a natural climate pattern driven by elevations in the surface water temperatures of the eastern Pacific Ocean, contributing to a global warming phase. Known to manifest every two to seven years, its hallmark characteristics include decreased precipitation in Southeast Asian and southern Australian regions.
The scope of El Nino’s impact is as significant as it is varied, affecting a broad array of sectors such as agriculture, exports, tourism, and more.
Representative of the Prime Minister’s Office, Chai Watcharong, disclosed on a Thursday briefing that the cabinet recognizes the inevitability of several nations, including Thailand, grappling with El Nino’s effects for up to three prime years.
In anticipation of the lack of adequate preparatory arrangements to handle El Nino’s repercussions, the Thai economy is projected to incur a staggering minimum of 600 billion baht in damages, with the potential to escalate to 2 trillion baht, as expounded by Watcharong.
In response to the impending crisis, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has commissioned the establishment of a dedicated committee. Duties of the committee will include the evaluation of the necessity and timing for the issuance of emergency directives.
Watcharong further explained that these preemptive measures would aid local governing bodies, like provincial and subdistrict administrations, disbursing financial aid for small-scale initiatives such as the development of weirs and groundwater banks.
Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao disclosed the ministry’s directive to organize resource centers to support farmers and coordinate effective responses to their challenges.
He emphasized the magnitude of the drought problem triggered by El Nino, underscoring the need for swift resolution. Prompao shared plans to discuss water conservation strategies with relevant organizations, including the Royal Irrigation Department and Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation.
“Comprehensive arrangements to navigate El Nino should span the short, medium, and long-term periods over the next three years to minimize the impact as much as possible,” Prompao stated. He highlighted that rice production is likely to bear the brunt of the natural phenomenon.
The Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Centre foresees El Nino costing the Thai economy a hefty 69 billion baht – a breakdown of 20 billion baht for the present year and 49 billion baht in the succeeding year.
The research center also expects this year’s and the following year’s gross domestic product to dwindle by 0.14% and 0.36%, respectively.
Be First to Comment