Angat water reserves may be enough to last through June –expert

Initially cautious about the impact of Typhoon Nona (Melor) on Angat Dam—the main reservoir for much of Luzon's water supply, including Manila's—a PAGASA hydrologist says that recent heavy rains may have replenished water reserves enough to last through the dry season.

In the wake of Nona's passage and coupled with incoming rains from a convergence of the Amihan and easterly winds, Angat Dam posted a water level of 213 m as of Thursday morning. This is a full meter above the flood season high ater level of 212 m, and dam administrators have since made the call to open Angat's flood gates.

"Kung mame-maintain natin at 212 m, maaari natin itong itawid hanggang sa rainy season next year. Pero kailangan pa rin natin magtipid," said PAGASA hydrologist Edgar dela Cruz.

He also assured that the spillover is unlikely to adversely affect communities downstream, barring additional rains.

"Hindi naman po kalakihan itong lumalabas sa Angat Dam. Pero kung masasabayan ito ng malakas na ulan, maaari itong mag-overflow," he said. — TJD, GMA News