Thailand's rainy season is postponed by two weeks, paving the way for a long summer.

Thailand's rainy season is postponed by two weeks, paving the way for a long summer.

The rainy season in Thailand is expected to begin two weeks later than usual this year, according to the meteorological agency, so people should prepare for prolonged hot weather. 

Rainfall is forecast to begin in the fourth week of May, with total rainfall levels in the country reaching normal. The monsoon will pause from mid-June until mid-July, according to the department. The department's website stated that the rainy season will end in late October.

The total rainfall across the country is expected to be close to the normal average and similar to the previous year. Last year, during the rainy season total rainfall was around 1% above the normal average, while the total rainfall throughout the year was 6% below the normal average.

During the first half of the rainy season (from the beginning until the end of July), the total rainfall will mostly be close to the normal average. However, during the latter half of the rainy season (from August to the end of October), total rainfall is expected to be higher than the normal average by around 5%, the department has forecast.

From around mid-June to mid-July, there would be a lull in rainfall, which could cause water shortages, particularly in areas outside irrigation zones. People should use water wisely to maximise its benefits, especially for agricultural purposes, the department said.

The months of August, September and October will see the heaviest and most frequent rainfall. There is a high chance of tropical cyclones passing through Thailand during this time, resulting in heavy to very heavy rainfall in many areas and causing sudden flash floods. Rivers would overflow and landslides were also possible in several areas, the department warned in its forecast for the upcoming rainy season.