Laguna Lake water level rises again
LUCENA CITY — The water level of Laguna de Bay rose to 12.25 meters on Monday afternoon (Aug. 17) after a slight decline earlier in the day, bringing it closer to the lake’s critical high-water threshold, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) reported.
In an advisory issued around 2:30 p.m., the LLDA said near-real-time monitoring through its Radar Level Sensors (RLS) showed the lake’s average water level at approximately 12.25 meters as of 2 p.m.
READ: Laguna Lake water level nears critical mark amid persistent rains
The latest reading was 5 centimeters higher than the 12.20-meter level recorded at 7 a.m. Monday.
The morning reading was already a slight decline from the 12.23 meters recorded on Friday (August 14).
The LLDA identified 10.50 meters as the critical low-water level and 12.50 meters as the critical high-water level. At 12.25 meters, the lake remains within the normal-to-safe transition range but is now only 25 centimeters below the critical high mark.
The agency said the current water level remains within Laguna de Bay’s normal seasonal range but is gradually approaching the 12.50-meter maximum threshold.
“Based on the current trend, this threshold is expected to be reached or potentially exceeded between September and November, depending on the amount and frequency of rainfall and other prevailing weather conditions,” the LLDA said.
The agency also warned that the lake could continue to rise as it serves as a natural catch basin for watersheds in Rizal, Laguna, and parts of Metro Manila.
“Continuous moderate to heavy rains will trigger a steady rise in water levels in the coming weeks,” the LLDA said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the weather system was expected to bring rains over Luzon and the western section of the Visayas on Monday and throughout the next five days.
Meanwhile, a low-pressure area (LPA) east of Luzon entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Monday but has a low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone, according to Pagasa. /jpv
