TAIPEI -- Around 1.34 million households in central and northern Taiwan are expected to encounter reduced pressure tap water supply round the clock starting from Wednesday as a measure against lingering drought, according to a statement from the island's emergency operation center.

Residents in north Taiwan's Hsinchu as well as those in Miaoli and Taichung of central Taiwan had already endured such reduced pressure tap water supply between 10 pm and 6 am the next day over the past few months.

This is the first time that the island will be extending the measure round the clock.

The water level of reservoirs in Hsinchu, Miaoli and Taichung has dropped to 20 percent of the total capacity, the statement added.

The western regions of Taiwan received less precipitation in February but northern and central Taiwan might see rainfall in the next week, the local weather department forecast.