Eight dams in Luzon below normal water levels — Pagasa

Eight dams in Luzon are already below their normal high levels based on a dam status advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued at 6 a.m. on Monday. (Photo from Pagasa)

MANILA, Philippines — The water levels in most of the major dams in Luzon have dropped below their normal high levels due to scarce rains in the watershed areas, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa’s dam status advisory at 6 a.m. on Monday showed water levels at eight of nine dams in Luzon have been consistently decreasing.

READ: 8 Luzon dams show decreased water levels – Pagasa

Most notably, Angat Dam in Bulacan dipped by 0.13 meters (m) to 211.55 m, below its average high water level of 212 m.

Metro Manila gets most of its water from Angat Dam.

Other dams in Luzon, such as Ipo Dam, La Mesa Dam, Ambuklao Dam, Binga Dam, San Roque Dam, Pantabangan Dam, and Magat Dam, have consistently experienced decreasing water levels and are currently below their respective normal high water levels.

In Pagasa’s latest climate monitoring bulletin as of January 25, most of Luzon is still getting less than normal rainfall.

Observed rainfall in most parts of Luzon from January 1 to January 25 is less than 50 millimeters, which state meteorologists say is below normal.

Normal phenomenon

Despite the decrease in the water levels of the Angat Dam, Engr. Patrick James Dizon of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said the downtrend is typical during this period.

“Based on our historical trend, by January, February, (and) March, the watershed elevation of Angat will really decrease,” he said in an interview over at Radyo 630.

READ: Shear line, amihan seen to rain on many parts of PH

Dizon said that the MWSS is confident that they have put mitigation measures in place to ensure that the water level in Angat Dam is sufficient to provide for Metro Manila’s water needs.

However, he still advised residents in Metro Manila to conserve water as the dam’s water level continues to decrease even before the summer season arrives.

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

In the Philippines, this may mean a lack of rainfall due to the delayed onset of the rainy season, state meteorologists explained.