Thousands of dead fish washed ashore on riverbanks as the water level plunged during dry weather in Thailand.

Rotting marine creatures, including dead eels, tilapia, and catfish, littered the shores of Phayao Lake in Phayao province after the arid heat reduced the water level to just five to six million cubic metres on March 22.

The water was previously at 55 million cubic metres.

Local authorities feared that the dry spell may affect residents and farmers if no rainfall replenished the lake's stores of water.

To address the problem, Phayao Governor Narong Rojanasothorn said the local government will open the floodgates of the Mae Tam and Mae Peum reservoirs on March 24 to divert water and fill up the lake.

Thailand has experienced several months of dry weather. However, the annual monsoon rainy season which starts in Aprile or May is now approaching.