00:00This well-drilling business is extra busy as a drought hits Taiwan.
00:05Along the crowded western coast, it's been the driest winter in 75 years.
00:10The company's phones are ringing a lot more these days,
00:13and scheduled projects are up 20 to 30 percent.
00:21In much of Taiwan, the reservoirs are already low.
00:25Most are under 60 percent capacity.
00:27Seven are below 30 percent.
00:29And drilling wells isn't feasible for everyone,
00:32with laws about geology and water quality to follow.
00:36Officials are stepping in, diverting water from less badly hit areas,
00:40and lowering water pressure to homes overnight.
00:43And some local governments have gone further.
00:45The central city of Taichung has dug 82 drought relief wells since a major drought in 2021.
00:52Six are now online, boosting supply.
00:55The drought is showing signs of biting everything from agriculture to industry.
00:59And tourism is hurting too.
01:01Here at Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan's most iconic spots,
01:05the lake bed is exposed and cracked.
01:07A famous sculpture of frogs used to measure water levels is now on dry land.
01:12The main attraction now is the dredging work that's going on.
01:16Now, when the water supply is at least 740 meters,
01:21Then, the water supply needs to be set up according to the standard duty.
01:25The water supply needs to be closed.
01:28Government forecasts say rainfall through April won't be especially heavy,
01:32meaning this dry spell will likely stretch on.
01:35Hank Hsu and John Van Trieste for Taiwan Plus.
01:38Congratulations!
01:38I'll see you next time.
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