South faces possible drought on low reservoir levels: WRA

　The agency reported that water flow from Kao-Ping-Hsi Stream (高屏溪), the major water supplier for Kaohsiung region, and reservoir levels at Tseng-Wen Reservoir (曾文水庫) and Wu-Shan-Tou Reservoir (烏山頭水庫) at Tainan County, have all dropped to less than half of last October's levels.

　Typhoon Morakot caused an increase of sediment into surrounding rivers, and caused a shrinking river flow to reservoirs in the southern region. The region has not experienced a considerable amount of rain since the typhoon. If the scarce rain continues by spring of next year, severe drought will take place, according to the Southern Region Water Resources Office.

　The eleven reservoirs in Tainan County were also found to contain a large amount of sedimentation, which has led to reduced reservoir volume. The Southern Region Water Resources Office reported both Wu-Shan-Tou Reservoir and Pai-Ho Reservoir (白河水庫) contain a 50-60 percent sedimentation amount. Tseng-Wen Reservoir, Mu-Tan Reservoir (牡丹水庫) and Nan-Hua Reservoir (南化水庫) also hold significant sedimentation, which reduces reservoir capacity.

　Although an official from the Kao-Ping-Hsi Weir Stream Center stated that Kao-Ping-Hsi Weir Stream will provide enough supply until next February, the Water Resources Agency is advising that preparation for drought be undertaken. The agency urges large-scale water conservation and under critical conditions, will consider purchasing agricultural water for domestic use.

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