Taiwan Business TOPICS Photo: Martti Chen
After a year with no typhoons, Taiwan is currently experiencing its worst drought in more than half a century. Reservoirs revealed their eerie secrets as the water level receded: bridges, schools, and even whole abandoned villages were uncovered. As of April, the worst-hit areas of Taichung and Miaoli Counties have been put on “Red Alert,” with rolling two-day water shutdowns being carried out every week, as well as additional restrictions for businesses. If the long-anticipated monsoon “plum rains” in May and June do not come, the entire west side of the island, including the silicon stronghold of Hsinchu, is in danger of going into Red Alert.