Taiwan battles worst drought in over a decade

Drying up: A tourist walking along the Shihmen Dam in Taoyuan on March 20. The dam that supplies several cities in northern Taiwan now holds just 24.5 of its capacity yesterday. — AFP

TAIPEI: Taiwan launched water rationing in some major cities as the island battled its worst drought in over a decade, following the lowest rainfall in nearly 70 years.

The state water company cut supplies to around 800,000 households and businesses in Taoyuan city yesterday as well as parts of Hsinchu county and New Taipei City in ­northern Taiwan for two days a week for an indefinite period.