Many parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific may continue to experience moderate to exceptional water deficits in the coming months, particularly southern Sumatra, Java, Borneo and neighboring Sulawesi, and New Guinea. The 12-month map (below) shows the dominance of the deficits through June 2016. The map is based on observed data through September 2015 and forecasts issued the last week of September 2015.

In Papua New Guinea drought has claimed two dozen lives, and El Niño could leave four million people in the Pacific without food or water. The drought is expected to be the worst in five years in Indonesia, where people are selling their belongings to buy food and water. Nearly 100,000 hectares of rice has died and Indonesia may be forced to import rice. As paper, pulp, and palm oil companies clear land using slash-and-burn techniques, the prolonged drought may hinder efforts to put out these illegal fires.

As seen in the 3-month maps (below) for the same time period, drought may be most widespread and severe October through December in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Moderate water surpluses may emerge during this period in southern Thailand and northern Vietnam.

Deficits are expected to return and spread in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam for the remainder of the forecast period, with some areas experiencing both deficits and surpluses. From January through June drought may persist in parts of Borneo, Sulawesi, the Philippines, and New Guinea. (It should be noted that forecast skill declines with longer lead times.)