Central Taiwan's Deji Reservoir drops below 90% capacity amid dry spell
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Deji Reservoir, a primary water source for the greater Taichung area, has fallen below 90% capacity due to insufficient rainfall in central Taiwan over the past two weeks.
- While southern Taiwan recently received some rain, relieving its water shortage, central Taiwan's water levels are declining, raising concerns about summer supply.
- The reservoir's current water level is considered normal for this time of year, with authorities working to store water for the upcoming summer demand.
Central Taiwan's primary water source, the Deji Reservoir, has dipped below 90% capacity, a concerning development following a period of limited rainfall in the region. As of Friday morning, the reservoir's water level stood at 1403.41 meters, with a storage rate of 89%. This marks a significant drop from mid-May when the reservoir's capacity briefly exceeded 90% after receiving some spring rain.
While southern Taiwan has recently seen some relief from its water scarcity due to recent downpours, the central region has experienced sparse precipitation for the past two weeks. This lack of rain, coupled with increasing water demand as summer approaches, has led to the decline in the Deji Reservoir's levels. Residents are expressing worry about potential water shortages during the peak summer months.
Despite the current dip below 90%, officials from the Tachia River Power Plant stated that the reservoir's water level remains within the normal range compared to previous years. Efforts are underway to maximize water storage to meet the anticipated high demand throughout the summer. Earlier in the year, the Deji Reservoir's catchment area experienced a prolonged dry spell, causing its storage rate to fall below 55% in early April before the spring rains provided some replenishment.
The current water level of Deji Reservoir, compared to the same period in previous years, is still within the normal range. We are doing our best to store water for the summer.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.