Rainy Season 2026 Ends: El Niño to Persist Until February

• End of the season announced. The Ministry of Water Resources says the 2026 rainy season ends this month, in October.
• El Niño until February. The climate phenomenon is expected to persist until February 2027, covering the entire first half of the dry season.
• Nationwide scope. The announcement covers all of Cambodia, so Siem Reap is affected just like every other province.
• Call to authorities. The ministry is asking that water be conserved for two purposes: household consumption and dry-season agriculture.
• Expected impact on residents. A harsher dry season than usual, with a risk of water cuts and strain on electricity.

The announcement fits into the usual shift from the wet season to the dry season. Here are the key milestones.

1. May to October 2026: the rainy season runs its course, filling the rivers, reservoirs and groundwater that will be drawn on during the dry season.
2. October 19, 2026: the Phnom Penh Post publishes the Ministry of Water Resources' announcement. The end of the rainy season is expected this week.
3. Late October 2026: the rainy season is officially over. Showers become less frequent.
4. November 2026: the dry season sets in. The ministry is calling on authorities to start saving water from this point on.
5. December 2026 to January 2027: El Niño persists. Household and agricultural water needs rise while reserves are no longer being replenished.
6. February 2027: the date until which El Niño is forecast to persist. This is the most important period to monitor for water and electricity.

The announcement doesn't provide detailed figures by province. Here are the areas affected, with the timeline for each.

• Running water. A harsher dry season can lower water pressure or cause outages. Homes with a storage tank or cistern are better placed.
• Electricity bill. Heat and the use of fans, air conditioning and pumps push consumption up. The grid may come under greater strain.
• Daily life. Less rain means drier, dustier days, which are pleasant for getting out and about but call for drinking more water.
• Gardens and pools. Watering and filling use a lot of water. Plan them more carefully than you would during the monsoon.
• Household budget. Bottled water, tanker deliveries, a generator or a UPS: set aside a small buffer for these items through February.

1. Step 1: check your water reserve. Inspect the tank, cistern or water heater, and make sure it is clean and properly sealed.
2. Step 2: keep a few days' supply of drinking water, in jugs or bottles, to cover an unexpected outage.
3. Step 3: ask your landlord or building manager how water is supplied (mains, well, tanker) and who to contact if there's a problem.
4. Step 4: cut your consumption. Fix leaks, batch your laundry, and water the garden early in the morning or in the evening.
5. Step 5: keep an eye on your electricity use. Set the air conditioning to a reasonable temperature and unplug appliances you aren't using.
6. Step 6: prepare a backup solution: a rechargeable lamp, a power bank, and a UPS if you work remotely.
7. Step 7: keep following official announcements from the Ministry of Water Resources and Siem Reap province through February.