May rainfall 3rd lowest in 59 years

Areas such as Taipei, Danshui, Chiayi, Wuchi, Sun Moon Lake, Dawu and Hungchun had the lowest reported May rainfall in history. The total amount of rain came to 36.9 millimeters islandwide, making it the third lowest number recorded in May since 1950.

In the north, Taipei's rainfall measured at 24.7 millimeters, less than one tenth of the average 258.9 millimeters accumulated in May from the past 30 years.

The CWB's spokesperson Wu De-rong said yesterday that while rainfall this May was abnormally low, the amount of water accumulated in the reservoirs are mostly dependent on rain from nearby mountains, which was considerably more abundant.

According to the Water Resource Agency (WRA), the total water accumulated at Shinmen Reservoir last month was 48 millimeters, the lowest recorded in the past 45 years. The water level at the reservoir has fallen to 223.87 meters, a mere 3.87 meters above the crucial low level of 220 meters.

The average rainfall measured for May at the reservoir in the past was 230.6 millimeters, according to WRA reports. A spokesperson for the reservoir said that thankfully water-rationing measures were taken in April to prevent a water shortage now.

Wu said the reason for the low rainfall is due to the late arrival of plum rain season. Plum rain typically starts in May, yet it did not come this year until the 18th.

Wu explained that in the past, peak rain season was between mid-May and mid-June. Although there was little rain this May, it did not mean that June would yield the same results, he added.

Professor Liu Guang-ying of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the Chinese Culture University (CCU) argued that even if it started pouring for the remaining three weeks of plum rain season, the lack of rain last month already put a damper on the total amount of rainfall.

The bureau predicted that an incoming cold front will bring bouts of plum rain today and tomorrow across all areas of Taiwan.

The rain and drop in temperature will persist for two to three days before heading south on Friday. The CWB warned the public of possible thunderstorms and lightning accompanying the rain and to dress and prepare accordingly.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email