Angat water now below minimum operating level

GOING DOWN Photo shows the receding water at Angat Dam, which is nearing its minimum operating level of 180 meters on May 7. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Angat Dam’s water level dipped below its minimum operating level on Thursday, losing 0.39 meters in over 24 hours to hit 179.68 meters. The dam supplies around 90 percent of the water needs for Metro Manila, Rizal, parts of Cavite and Bulacan. Its minimum operating level is 180 meters. Data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) showed other dams across Luzon also losing water, with La Mesa Dam now at 75.13 meters, San Roque Dam at 226.86 meters, and Caliraya Dam at 286.26 meters. On the other hand, the Ipo, Ambuklao, Binga, Pantabangan, and Magat dams saw a slight hike in their respective water levels. Pagasa said earlier that a low-pressure area that entered the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday could develop into a tropical depression. The first for this year will be called Aghon. On Thursday morning, the low-pressure area was spotted 870 kilometers east of southeastern Mindanao and was forecast to move northwest until Saturday before recurving northeast on Sunday. It is expected to remain over the Philippine Sea but may potentially bring heavy rainfall in the coming days. —RUSSEL LORETO