Recent rainfall in Taiwan has declined noticeably. According to statistics covering the past three months, total precipitation in areas south of Hsinchu has fallen to just 10% to 20% of the historical average for the same period. This sharp decline has led to reduced river flows and dropping storage levels in agricultural reservoirs, disrupting normal agricultural irrigation. In response, the regional management offices of the Irrigation Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture have activated a range of drought response measures and are actively monitoring the situation.
Further analysis of rainfall over the past three months across irrigation districts nationwide shows that precipitation in the Hsinchu-Miaoli area fell to just 10% of the historical average for the same period, while the Taichung-Changhua-Nantou-Yunlin area recorded 11%, and the Chiayi-Tainan-Kaohsiung-Pingtung area recorded 14%. Agricultural water conditions have as a result become critically strained. Based on the seasonal climate outlook issued by the Central Weather Administration, rainfall in March 2026 is expected to be normal to below normal, with no significant rainfall signals forecast for April. Rainfall over the coming season is projected to trend below average, and agricultural irrigation management during the first half of this year will need to be handled with considerable care.
The Irrigation Agency stated that, in response to the expected trend of below-average rainfall this year, it has strengthened canal inspection and dredging since the end of last year (2025) and moved ahead with early preparations for water storage facilities. It has also taken stock of diverse water sources, including drought-relief wells and river and stream water. For irrigation districts facing tighter water conditions, a range of drought response strategies has been formulated, with measures tailored to local needs, including rotational irrigation, activation of drought-relief wells, utilization of multiple water sources, and cross-system water dispatch, to help farmers across all districts complete field preparation and rice transplanting.
The Irrigation Agency explained that in recent years it has actively worked to strengthen the resilience of irrigation systems across Taiwan. Measures undertaken include adding water storage facilities, expanding storage capacity, constructing new water dispatch infrastructure, developing diversified water sources, and establishing smart water management systems. These efforts have effectively reduced the risk of water shortages and irrigation suspensions. Facing the current drought, the Irrigation Agency is ensuring fair water distribution through rotational irrigation and other measures to mitigate the impact of insufficient rainfall. Farmers are encouraged to cooperate with the response measures implemented by their regional management offices so that together the challenges of drought can be overcome.