Further decline in Angat Dam’s water level feared

MANILA, Philippines – The water elevation level at Angat Dam dropped to 179.5 meters Monday morning and may hit 173.5 meters by the end of May, a hydrologist from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

“Yung 0.47 meter (drop) po na nakalagay sa website (ng Pagasa) is the 24 hour deviation, so kumpara po kahapon,” Adelaida Duran, PAGASA hydrologist, told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.

“On average po for the month of April, 0.49 (meters) po siya nagda-drop per day, kung wala pong pag-ulan yun,” she added.

Citing projections from the National Water and Resources Board, Duran said that if Angat Dam’s water level continues to decline, it may hit 173.5 meters by the end of May.

Duran noted that rainfall in May can help improve the dam’s  the water level.

“Kailangan natin ng paulan, yung climatologist ng Pagasa, the forecast ng rainfall for May 2019 is below normal, although below normal siya, pero ang ranges ng rainfall is 173 to 195 millimeter for the month of May dun sa Angat watershed, so may ine-expect tayong pag-ulan sa May,” she said.

“Although makakatulong siya sa pagtas, pero hindi tayo ma-sure kung gano kataas yung maitutulong niya kasi dependee kung yung rainfall na yung maitutulong niya kasi depende kung yung rainfall na yun eh papatak mismo sa watershed or patuloy ba yung rainfall or baka sa next day walang ulan, the other day meron,” she added.

Last Sunday, Angat Dam’s water level breached its critical level, dropping to 179.93 meters above sea level (masl), below the 180-meter minimum requirement. /gsg

READ: Water level at Angat Dam breaches critical mark