Angat Dam in Bulacan, which supplies most of Metro Manila’s water, decreased by 0.25 meters. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — All nine dams in Luzon have experienced a decrease in their water levels as the country continues to experience the effects of El Niño and the easterlies, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Tuesday.
Easterlies are warm winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean, which brings hot and humid weather.
In Pagasa’s Hydrometeorology Division dam status report issued at 6 a.m., eight of the nine dams in Luzon are reported to be continuously slipping below their respective normal high water levels.
Angat Dam in Bulacan, which supplies most of Metro Manila’s water, recorded a decrease of 0.25 meters (m) and is at 210.08 m – well below its average high water level of 212 m.
Angat Dam’s water levels first slipped below 212m on January 26 and have consistently dropped since.
Meanwhile, the following dams have also logged a decrease in water levels:
Ipo Dam
- Decreased by 0.11 m at 99.82 m
- Below its normal high water level of 101 m
La Mesa Dam
- Decreased by 0.09 m at 78.05 m
- Below its normal high water level of 80.15 m
Ambuklao Dam
- Decreased by 0.03 m at 750.94 m
- Below its normal high water level of 752 m
Binga Dam
- Decreased by 0.23 m at 572.75 m
- Below its normal high water level of 575 m
San Roque Dam
- Decreased by 0.31 m at 249.65 m
- Below its normal high water level of 280 m
Pantabangan Dam
- Decreased by 0.27 m at 192.05 m
- Below its normal high water level of 221 m
Magat Dam
- Decreased by 0.34 m at 183.14 m
- Below its normal high water level of 193 m
Caliraya Dam
- Decreased by 0.15 m at 287.51 m
- No recorded normal high water level
In Pagasa’s latest climate monitoring bulletin as of Feb. 4, most of Luzon is still getting less than average rainfall.
The observed rainfall in most parts of Luzon from Feb. 1 to Feb. 4 was less than 50 millimeters, which state meteorologists say is below standard.
Further, weather specialist Rhea Torres, in a Tuesday morning report, said that the easterlies have been bringing higher temperatures in key areas in the country, with Metro Manila possibly reaching temperatures as high as 32ºC.