PAGASA: Water levels going down in most major Luzon dams, but not critical yet

As the summer heat continues to scorch the country, water levels in most major dams in Luzon are going down, but authorities assured the public the water levels have not reached critical levels—at least for now.

 

Still, PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said it would be wise for the public to conserve water during the hot summer months.

 

"Bumababa na (ang dam water levels) pero wala pa sa critical level," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

In calling for water conservation, he noted Angat Dam in Bulacan, one of the dams where water levels are going down, supplies most of Metro Manila's water needs.

 

He added the heat is expected to continue until at least May.

 

"Lalong iinit 'yan. 'Pag lalong iinit, bababa ang level ng water ng dam," he said.

 

But in Isabela province, Magat Dam official Saturnino Tenedor assured residents the water level is slowly inching up, though it is still below the normal level.

 

Tenedor, in a separate interview on dzBB, said the water level elevation can be "regained" since the planting season has ended and the irrigation load is not as heavy.

 

Also, he said the slight rise in water level is due partly to rain in past days.

 

"Huminto ang irrigation kaya nagbi-build up kaunti ang reservoir ng Magat Dam ... May trend pataas ang tubig paunti-unti na," he said.

 

He added that while the water level at 174 meters is below the 180-meter normal water level, it is above the critical level of 160 meters.

 

Magat Dam supplies water to some 80,000 hectares of land in Isabela, Quirino and even Ifugao, Tenedor said.

 

Water level rising in only 1 of 9 dams

 

As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, PAGASA said the water level was rising in only one of nine major dams in Luzon—Magat Dam.

 

It said Magat's water level as of 6 a.m. Tuesday was at 174.10 meters, up by 0.02 meter from 174.08 meters on Monday. But it is still below the normal level of 193 meters.

 

Angat Dam in Bulacan had a water level of 206.90 meters, 0.24 meter down from 207.14 Monday. It is below the normal level of 210 meters.

 

Ipo Dam also in Bulacan had a water level of 100.59 meters, down 0.03 meter from 100.62 meters Monday. It is above the normal level of 100.20 meters.

 

La Mesa Dam in Quezon City had a water level of 79.53 meters, 0.03 meter down from 79.56 meters on Monday.  It is below the normal level of 80.15 meters.

 

Ambuklao Dam in Benguet had a water level of 749.21 meters, down 0.27 meter from 749.48 on Monday, and below the normal level of 752 meters.

 

Binga Dam also in Benguet had a water level of 569.46 meters, down 0.06 meter from 569.52 meters on Monday. It is below the normal level of 575 meters.

 

San Roque Dam in Pangasinan had a water level of 241.41 meters, down 0.32 meter from 241.73 meters Monday. It is below the normal level of 280 meters.

 

Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija had a water level of 191.20 meters, 0.26 meter below 191.46 meters on Monday. It is below the normal level of 221 neters.

 

Caliraya Dam in Laguna had a water level of 287.18 meters, 0.69 meter down from 287.49 meters Monday. It is below the normal water level of 288 meters. —KG, GMA News