Water Shortage in South Continues to Worsen|台南水情惡化 白河蓮田缺水產量大減

Taiwan has experienced several days of blistering weather, with temperatures soaring to 38 degrees Celsius in some parts of the island. Produce harvest has been affected as a result. The output of 250 hectares of lotus fields in Tainan's Baihe has been reduced by half. Meanwhile, water supply in Chiayi is also tight; some worry that rationing may be imminent.


The footage shows what appears to be a grassland expanse, and a closer look reveals dried and cracked ground. However, this is actually the bottom of Renyitan Reservoir, which supplies water to Chiayi. The water level has been falling in recent months, and little islands that used to be submerged have appeared. The bottom is also drying up. The Water Resources Agency says Yunlin's reservoirs are supplying 75,000 tons of water a day to ensure Chiayi City's water supply remains stable.

As of right now, the daily water outflow from the two reservoirs (Renyitan Reservoir and Lantan Reservoir) is 110,000 tons. There are currently no issues with the Chiayi region's water supply.

Meanwhile, Tainan's water shortage continues to worsen. In Baihe District, many lotus ponds are empty of flowers. Some don't even have water, and the bottom soil has started cracking. Farmers are waiting for the plum rain season. One farmer says this is the first time he has experienced this type of situation in his 20 years of farming.

The water shortage has become extremely severe. The leaves are turning yellow, and the lotuses are nearly dead. If the rain doesn't come, the (lotus seed) output this year will fall by around half.

However, relief may not be coming soon. The Central Weather Bureau's Southern Region Weather Center says farmers may have to wait a bit longer for the plum rains to arrive.

There may be a front approaching northern Taiwan between June 1 and 4. However, as the structure of the front is not too good, and it doesn't have ample water vapor, there won't be much rainfall in southern Taiwan even though it may rain near Taiwan.

People are hoping afternoon thunderstorms will bring some relief, but there is not much optimism that the water shortage will be resolved anytime soon. The WRA reminds the public to save water.