Angat water level dips below critical level; dam still operational
Angat Dam. ARNOLD ALMACEN
MANILA, Philippines— The water level in Angat Dam, which supplies most of Metro Manila’s water needs, has dipped below critical level.
Hydrologist Jason Bausa of the hydrometeorology division of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said as of 4 p.m. Sunday the water level in the reservoir hit 179.96 meters.
At 1 p.m. Sunday, the water level in Angat Dam fell to 180.02 from 180.12 at 6 a.m.
Bausa said that despite the drop, “Angat Dam is still operational.”
Warning zone
Bausa told the Inquirer that the 180-meter mark is a “warning zone” and critical levels differ for Metro Manila’s water supply and irrigation in the provinces.
He explained that the critical water level that could put a stop to the supply of water for irrigation is at 177 meters.
Should the water level at the Angat Dam drop to 160 meters, the water supply for Metro Manila’s household faucets would also go dry.
Angat Dam’s normal water level is at 185.41 meters, which has gradually decreased at a daily average rate of .1 to .035 meters at the onset of the dry season.
Bausa said they anticipate the water level at the dam to drop to as low as 170 meters by the end of the month, should the weather remain dry.
He nevertheless said that the water level at Angat Dam is expected to normalize from June to July. With a report from Jeannette Andrade
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