Taiwan orders rationing of water in cities
Print Edition
TAIWAN is facing its worst drought in more than a decade after the lowest rainfall in nearly 70 years, forcing some major cities to turn off the taps as authorities introduce emergency rationing, officials said yesterday.
Water supplies to households and businesses in the northern city of Taoyuan and most of New Taipei City will be cut off for two days a week from next month, the government said.
“The situation is urgent as the rainfall last fall and winter was Taiwan’s lowest since 1947,” the economics affairs department said, adding that the dry spell is set to continue.
“We might have delayed or no monsoon rains at all ... We urge the public to cooperate during this difficult time,” it said.
Parts of the vast Shihmen Dam in Taoyuan have dried up, leaving boats washed up in what is now a muddy crater. The dam, which supplies parts of northern Taiwan, has just 47 days’ water left, the authorities said.
Rationing is being imposed “in preparation for the worst” said Lai Chien-hsin, a spokesman for the water resources agency.
“We will decide on when to remove the rationing depending on the situation.”
The government last imposed water rationing and anti-drought measures in 2001.
At that time water supplies to car washes, saunas and swimming pools were suspended in Taipei, while government agencies, schools and hotels in the city were ordered to slash their water consumption by 20 percent.
Industrial water supplies will also be reduced in nine areas across the island from Monday for an indefinite period, authorities said.
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