The seasonal winds that have brought rains to northern Taiwan are not helping to relieve the water shortage in the nation’s south, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said yesterday, adding that more severe water-rationing measures could be imposed to stretch out water supplies.
The situation could take its toll on Kaohsiung, which could face tighter rationing well ahead of schedule, the bureau said.
The only short-term hope for southern Taiwan’s biggest city could be a front expected on Sunday, which could bring significant precipitation — even downpours — nationwide, forecasters said.
However, the potential rain could give way to a cold — but dry — weather pattern starting on Monday, the bureau said.
A cold air mass could send temperatures plummeting to a low of 12°C in the north and 19°C in the south, the CWB said.
The Southern Region Water Resources Office originally planned to start third-phase water rationing in Kaohsiung and Tainan by the end of next month, but the measures could be put into effect in Kaohsiung this month.
The bureau said it would decide today whether to tighten water supplies in Kaohsiung as a sudden drop in the water level of its main water source, the Gaoping River (高屏溪), has taken a toll on its water supplies.
First- and second-phase water rationing measures have been imposed nationwide in recent months as Taiwan continues to battle its worst water shortage in decades.
Third-phase water rationing was imposed for the first time during the prolonged drought this week in parts of New Taipei City, Taoyuan and Hsinchu County in northern Taiwan.
Additional reporting by Shih Hsiu-chuan
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