‘Kabayan’ filled Luzon dams

IF THERE was any good that Tropical Storm “Kabayan” (international name: Mujigae) brought, it was rain to replenish major reservoirs in Luzon that had fallen to critical levels after months of El Niño.

The weather bureau said the levels at Angat and Pantabangan dams had risen by about four meters, while Magat, San Roque, Binga and Ambuklao dams were back to full capacity after only a few days of rain.

“It’s like an act of God,” said hydrologist Elmer Caringal of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Caringal said Angat, from which Metro Manila draws most of its water for domestic use, would need at least two more rain-heavy storms to reach a level high enough to tide the capital over the dry months until the middle of next year.

Kabayan developed from a low pressure area that formed close to the Luzon land mass on Sept. 30 as Pagasa issued its forecast about the worsening El Niño drought.

Contrary to the forecast, the low pressure area did develop into a storm which crossed Luzon on Oct. 1-2.

The 11th cyclone to hit the country this year brought moderate to occasionally heavy rain over most of Luzon during the weekend though its winds blew at a moderate 55 kilometers per hour.

“It’s like God said, ‘You need water so here are the rains.’ Farmers in Central Luzon were also blessed with rain,” Caringal said.

The rain from Kabayan raised the level of Angat dam in Bulacan from 189.91 meters above sea level (masl) as of Thursday to 193.01 masl as of Monday.

The level at Pantabangan dam in Nueva Ecija also increased from 191.91 meters as of Thursday to 194.92 meters on Monday.

“We may have an increase (in the water level by) five meters,” he said.

Angat and Pantabangan are still below their normal operating levels of 210 meters and 216 meters, respectively.