The Water Resources Agency says that while a front that passed over Taiwan Thursday night did bring some rain, it has done little to ease a drought in central and southern Taiwan.
The agency says that most of the rainfall Thursday night fell outside of the worst-affected areas. Whereas 20mm fell in Keelung’s Hsinshan Reservoir in the north, reservoirs in the south saw less than 1mm of precipitation.
The lack of rainfall has led to concerns that central Taiwan could see even more stringent water rationing. Already, municipalities in the region are shutting off their water supplies two days a week, with the only water available on those days coming from special water stations.
The Water Resources Agency has discounted rumors that the water in these areas may soon be shut off even more frequently, saying that the current rationing system is enough.
Relief from drought conditions could be in sight: a rainy period of the year known in Taiwan as the Plum Rain Season is expected to start at the end of the month. The Water Resources Agency says it will decide how to proceed when the season arrives by looking at forecasts and the availability of water.