Taiwan starts water rationing in north amid worst drought in over a decade
Supplies to major cities in the north cut twice a week as dam dries up
Taiwan launched water rationing in some major cities on Wednesday as it battled its worst drought in more than a decade after the lowest rainfall in nearly 70 years.
The state water company cut supplies to about 800,000 households and businesses in Taoyuan, parts of Hsinchu county and New Taipei City in northern Taiwan for two days a week for an indefinite period.
The government said it was forced to impose the measure as the water supply situation was urgent.
The move comes after the island's lowest rainfall last autumn and winter since 1947.
Parts of Taoyuan's vast Shihmen Dam that supplies several cities in northern Taiwan have dried up, leaving a muddy crater. The dam held just 24.5 per cent of its capacity yesterday, according to the Water Resources Agency.
"We continue to monitor the situation to determine how long the rationing will go on as the supply of the Shihmen Dam is tight. We urge people to conserve and store water," said Taoyuan city government official Cheng Tsao-ming.