Country may have to brace for water shortages in early 2021

Taiwan News
Date: 2020/09/18
By: Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese are urged to conserve water as the nation's three major reservoirs report alarmingly low storage levels.

The Tsengwen (曾文), Shihmen (石門), and Feitsui (翡翠) dams are experiencing their lowest water levels in 17 years, with less than half of their capacity, according to Weather Taiwan (天氣即時預報), a Facebook page providing real-time weather information.

The drop can be attributed to a lack of rainfall and typhoons this year, a rare situation for the oceanic country. Not a single tropical storm or typhoon has landed in Taiwan, which usually braces itself for the weather events in summer that bring heavy rain and winds.

Autumn front rains and afternoon thunderstorms appear to be the main source of precipitation in Taiwan, which is insufficient. A water shortage can be expected in the first half of 2021 if declining rainfall continues.    [FULL  STORY]