World's Largest Water Fight Kicks Off in Thailand Amid Regional Drought

Rising temperatures have been exacerbated by China's extensive damming of the Mekong River which also runs through Thailand

Thailand kicked off the world's largest water fight Wednesday in honor of Songkran, the country's New Year festival, NBC News reported. 

Celebrated with everything from water guns to hoses to elephants spewing water, crowds of revelers battle in the streets and douse passersby. The water is believed to clean people of their sins and misfortune. 

This year, however, officials are asking participants to curb water use in the face of the worst drought in decades and has cut the festival from four to three days.

Critics say that rising temperatures have been exacerbated by China's extensive damming of the Mekong River — which also runs through Thailand, as well as Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia.

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