Taiwan's Liyutan Reservoir Nears Full Capacity at 97.3% After Typhoon-Induced Rains

Taiwan's Liyutan Reservoir is on the verge of reaching full capacity, with its water storage rate currently at an impressive 97.3%. This surge in water levels is largely attributed to recent rainfall brought by the southwest airflow associated with Typhoon Mikala.

The reservoir, a vital water source for the Miaoli, Taichung, and Changhua regions, had experienced critically low levels earlier in the year due to insufficient rainfall. By early April, its storage rate had plummeted to just 25%. However, subsequent rains from the plum rains and the recent typhoon system have dramatically reversed the situation.

As of 7 a.m. today, the reservoir held 112.43 million tons of water, with its water level reaching 299.3 meters, just 70 centimeters shy of its 300-meter full capacity mark. Officials anticipate that the reservoir could reach its overflow point within today or tomorrow, potentially bringing back the scenic sight of free overflow.

This recovery is a welcome development for the region, which relies heavily on the Liyutan Reservoir for both domestic and agricultural water supply. The continuous inflow from the catchment area, boosted by over 150 millimeters of rain in recent days, has added approximately 1.57 million tons of water in just one day.