8 Luzon dams show decreased water levels – Pagasa

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) recorded a decrease in the water level of eight dams in Luzon as of 6 a.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (Photo from Pagasa)

MANILA, Philippines — Eight out of nine dams in Luzon logged a decrease in water level on Tuesday despite persistent rains due to the northeast monsoon or amihan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

According to Pagasa’s Hydrometeorology Division, only Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan, increased its water level during a 24-hour period, with a rise of 0.15 meters (m).

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Pagasa’s 6 a.m. dam status advisory reported that Ipo Dam’s water level is at 98.62 m, which is still below its normal high water level of 101 m.

Angat Dam, which supplies potable water to Metro Manila, logged a decrease of 0.13 m and is at 212.27 m – above its normal high water level of 212 m, the same advisory said.

Angat Dam’s water level has been constantly dipping since January 13, when its water level was recorded at 213.9 m.

The following are other dams which recorded a decrease in water level on January 23:

San Roque Dam

• Decreased by 0.30 m at 254.27 m
• Below its normal high water level of 280 m

Magat Dam

• Decreased by 0.25 m at 186.74 m
• Below its normal high water level of 193 m

Pantabangan Dam

• Decreased by 0.23 m at 195.27 m
• Below its normal high water level of 221 m

Caliraya Dam

• Decreased by 0.21 m at 287.25 m
• No recorded normal high water level

Binga Dam

• Decreased by 0.11 m at 573.57 m
• Below its normal high water level of 575 m

La Mesa Dam

• Decreased by 0.08 m at 79.34 m
• Below its normal high water level of 80.15 m

Ambuklao Dam

• Decreased by 0.04 m at 751.43 m
• Below its normal high water level of 752 m

In Pagasa’s latest climate monitoring bulletin as of January 21, most of Luzon is still getting less than normal rainfall.

Observed rainfall in most parts of Luzon for the period of January 1 to 21 is less than 50 millimeters which state meteorologists say is below normal.

This is despite the effects of the northeast monsoon, which has been bringing light rains in Luzon in the past few days.

In a previous El Niño advisory, Pagasa said that a strong El Niño phenomenon will be experienced in the country until February.