The satellite image shows the water level of the Mekong River this year is much lower than in 2019, sandbars are exposed, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).

GISTDA said the apparent drought will affect agriculture in the Northeast of Thailand.

The images, from the Landsat-8 satellite, were posted on GISTDA’s Facebook page, saying it was comparing January 2019 and 2021. The location is in the Pakchom district of Loei province.