VIENTIANE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Laos is likely to face an acute water shortage over the next two months as rivers continue to fall to lower-than-normal levels.
In a long-term forecast issued on Monday, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology under Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment warned of the possibility of extreme conditions during the annual dry season, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Thursday.
Almost all parts of the country will face a harsh climate environment in March and April, except for the northern provinces of Phongsaly, Huaphan and Xieng Khuang provinces, where rainfall will be normal at 127 to 248 mm. However, rainfall is forecast to be above the normal level in all the northern provinces in February except for Luang Prabang province.
For Phongsaly, Huaphan and Xieng Khuang, 14 to 24 mm is the normal amount of rainfall in February, while it is 15 to 25 mm in Luang Namtha, Bokeo, Oudomxay and Xayaboury provinces.
However, rainfall will be lower than normal in all central and southern provinces during February, March and April this year, according to the report.
The average precipitation is 95 to 159 mm in the central provinces, while 63 to 306 mm is the normal level of rainfall in the southern provinces over these three months. The department also warns of thunderstorms from late March to April.
The department advises everyone around the country to use water as sparingly as possible and to monitor weather forecasts for more information.
Laos has two seasons, rainy season which run from May to October and a dry season from November to April. The dry season can be broken into two parts -- the cool, dry season from November to February and the hot, dry season from March to April.
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