TAIWAN FACES WATER CRISIS

The long-awaited spring rain finally arrived in Taiwan last weekend, but still the rainfall was not enough to avert a looming water crisis. Meteorologists say that under the declining influence of La Nina, precipitation in this season may be even lower than expected, and anti-drought measures are advised to be taken as soon as possible.

The strong convection and approaching fronts led to brief torrential rain on Sunday evening in northern Taiwan. The Central Weather Bureau also issued a torrential rain warning in mountainous areas in Northern and Mid-South Taiwan.

While the rain lessened into the evening, another rainbelt is approaching western Taiwan, causing continuous raining in the area.

The Central Weather Bureau has monitored the first Spring thunder of this year, but there hasn't been any signs of such weather formation in Taiwan.

According to weather experts, Spring Thunder usually comes a month ago.

Its absence sets the record of the latest arrival, which may be a result of the weakening of the La Nina phenomenon.

Weather experts believe the plum rain season will become harder to predict given weather abnormacy.

So far, the water storage levels in major water reservoirs are relatively low.

The percentage of water stored in Shimen is only 36 percent and others remain at around 45 percent.

Starting from first of April, several county and city governments in the North of Taiwan has begun the first phase of water rationing measures.

Water Resources Agency says it will carry out artificial rain in several water reservoirs and it encourages the public to conserve water and to avoid using water unnecessarily.

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