Yunlin records no major ground sinking for first time in 25 years

雲林25年來首次發生重大地層下陷

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Yunlin County Government said at a meeting Friday that the county saw no areas of major ground sinking this year for the first time in about 25 years.

According to the county government, data from the Water Resources Agency show no township had ground sinking faster than 3 centimeters a year. Officials said better rainfall and more farmers switching from rice to dry crops helped reduce the problem.

The Liberty Times reported Saturday that Yunlin used to have large areas sinking more than 3 centimeters a year, including Huwei, Tuku, Yuanzhang, and Dapi townships. In 2022 and 2023, those areas still covered more than 200 square kilometers but dropped to zero this year.

The county’s water resources department said rainfall during both wet and dry seasons rose significantly compared with recent years, per CNA. The department also said less groundwater was pumped as more farmland near the high-speed rail line shifted to corn, soybeans, and other low-water crops.

The department noted that Yunlin is still at risk because the soil is soft and water supply is limited. It added that the county is working with the Water Resources Agency on groundwater recharge projects along the New Huwei River to help refill deep aquifers.

The county’s Deputy Magistrate Hsieh Shu-ya (謝淑亞) said the county will keep pushing farmers to switch crops and save water. Hsieh said the county will also ask the central government to expand subsidy programs and raise payouts to keep groundwater use down.