Taiwan to cut water supplies in Kaohsiung city amidst drought

Taiwan has announced to introduce water rationing Kaohsiung city to cope up with the ongoing drought situation.

The state water firm will reduce its water supplies for residences and businesses in the Southern Kaohsiung starting from 4 May 2015.

To be cut down for two days every week, this decision is a first for the city, reports Agence France-Presse.

Northern part of the island nation in China is already under water rationing which was initiated earlier in the month. The cut had been introduced in Taoyuan and parts of New Taipei city, which falls in the region.

The supply restrictions have been announced aftermath of the record low rains in around 70 years.

State water resources agency spokesperson Lai Chien-hsin was quoted by the news agency as saying: "The water supply situation in Kaohsiung is urgent.

"The Gaoping River which is its main source of water is running low as there has been little rain for over nine months in the city."

12 public swimming pools have already been shut down in the city along with reduction in the water supplies for some industrial and some commercial users.

Local businesses are concerned that the drought will affect their businesses and intend to take up new initiatives for water conservation.

Last water rationing measures were introduced in parts of Taiwan in 2001 to make up for the lack of water resources and prevent drought.