Zengwen Reservoir Water Levels Rise Above 50% Due to Typhoon Mikala's Outer Bands

The Zengwen Reservoir, Taiwan's largest, has seen a substantial increase in its water storage capacity, now exceeding 50%. This significant replenishment is attributed to abundant rainfall from the outer bands of Typhoon Mikala and a stationary front, which began affecting the reservoir's catchment area early Tuesday and continued persistently.

According to the Water Resources Agency's Southern Region Water Resources Branch (SRWRB), the continuous rainfall has led to substantial inflow into the reservoir. As of Wednesday afternoon, the catchment area had received over 174 millimeters of rain, with inflows reaching approximately 25 million cubic meters. The effective storage volume has surpassed 220 million cubic meters and is expected to increase further. The SRWRB estimates that the reservoir could gain an additional 48.5 million cubic meters of water, greatly improving the overall water situation.

The timely rainfall comes as a relief to farmers, especially with the upcoming second rice crop irrigation season. Nanhua Reservoir, which was already at full capacity, is receiving water from Zengwen Reservoir through an inter-basin transfer pipe, ensuring a stable water supply across the region. The SRWRB is actively managing water resources through cross-regional coordination to maintain consistent supply.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the water level at Zengwen Reservoir stood at 213.77 meters, with a storage rate of 50.11%. Combined with the nearby Wushantou Reservoir, the total effective storage capacity exceeds 280 million cubic meters. While the water supply for Tainan remains normal, the SRWRB continues to urge the public to conserve water.