Koh Samui facing severe water crisis caused by a rush of tourists and decline in rainfall

A popular holiday island in Thailand is facing extreme water shortages, putting the blame on too many tourists combined with lower than average rainfall.

Water reserves on Koh Samui are reportedly so low, there is only enough freshwater remaining for the next 30 days.

At least one million tourists visited Koh Samui island in the past five months, with taps starting to run dry and residents forced to buy freshwater.

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The chair of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, Ratchaporn Poonsawat, said the crisis might result in a surge in costs.

"The mounting costs associated with the shortage could also adversely affect the livelihood of hospitality workers on the island. If water supplies continue to deplete, these hard-working individuals might be forced to bear higher living costs," he said, per the Bangkok Post.

The publication reports locals are now starting to buy freshwater at 250BHT to 300BHT ($10-12) for 2,000 litres of water for their daily use.

The island is expected to face increased shortages over the next few months due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.

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To help combat the shortage, the Provincial Waterworks Authority has started using an underwater pipeline from the Surat Thani province on the Thai mainland to supply the island.

Deputy mayor of Koh Samui, Sutham Samthong, has urged residents and tourists to use water judiciously.

"We are not complacent. We are trying to solve the situation. We don't want the provincial or upper [administration] to announce that Koh Samui is a disaster zone," he told The Guardian.

With careful management, authorities believe freshwater on the island can last through the next two months, after which rains are expected.