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The alert level for the Wanli Creek barrier lake is about to reach week 3, and so while many Hualien residents may still be worrying about a potential flood, local farmers are now dealing with an unintended consequence: a drought. Even though melon and rice fields are in desperate need of water, fears of flooding have resulted in irrigation canals being closed.

Lying on this black tarp are white water-starved watermelons that are basically knocking on death’s door. Melon farmers here are heart-broken, knowing that their hard work has likely gone to waste. It’s especially hard to comprehend over in this field near Jianying Bridge, an area that’s often overflowing with water, yet the withering watermelon sprouts here are now dying from thirst.

Mr. Yeh
Melon Farmer in Fenglin Township
The temps are really high. For that rocky area, when there’s no water the melons can’t take it. They’ll just end up dying.

Mr. Liu
Rice Farmer in Fenglin Township
There’s no water for us to irrigate our crops. Even if we were to have water, let’s say we start planting now, well we won’t even have vines until 3 weeks later. But right now we don’t even have water, so there’s nothing to talk about. There’s nothing.

Farmers in Hualien are finding the situation hopeless, as the alert for the Wanli River barrier lake is now on day 20. Making matters worse is the farm fields are in the evacuation zone, so the irrigation canals and flood gates have all been closed, meaning the farmers can’t get in and the water can’t get out. Knowing that melon and rice farmers are seeing their crops wither, along with their livelihoods, the authorities are seeking solutions.

Chen Shu-wen
Hualien Agriculture Department director
The alert for the Wanli Creek barrier lake has been extended, so when it comes to obtaining water, this is a rather difficult situation. And, of course, the most important thing is ensuring the safety of human life.

Lai Chih-feng
Hualien Irrigation Agency
If we’re allowed to enter the area, in under three days we’ll be able to open up the natural inlets in Lintianshan and Wanrong so that water can flow in from them.

The authorities are not taking any chances since Wanli Creek is still at a red alert level, meaning the barrier lake could overflow at any time. That’s why the local government is trying to think up solutions that will both save crops and not endanger human lives.

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#thirsty #barrierlake #Hualien #irrigation #flood

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