Typhoons in Taiwan may cause disruption, but they also serve to replenish the island’s water supplies. Now, after a year without them, one county in northern Taiwan is seeing the consequences.
The muddy remains of an old brick building sit forlornly by the water’s edge. It’s a rare sight, because these ruins are normally well below the water level.
Typhoons normally replenish Taiwan’s water supplies. But after a year with none in sight, reservoir levels in Hsinchu County are dangerously low. Paoshan Reservoir is only 21.9% full, with 24 days of supply left. Meanwhile, Pao-erh Reservoir is only at 12.5%. Water Corporation Director Chiu Tsung-jen is concerned.
He says the two reservoirs only have about 5 million tons of water left. He plans to add a support channel from nearby Qionglin Township.
That channel will be finished by the end of April. In the meantime, the county at the centre of Taiwan’s tech industry continues to empty the water supplies.
The Water Resources Agency is working on emergency desalination. It hopes it will soon be able to relieve the shortage. Until then, the ruins of this building will stay as a sign of the crisis.