Cloud seeding set to increase Angat Dam water level

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is set to conduct cloud seeding activities to increase the water level in Angat Dam starting March, according to Joseph Morong’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday.

The country's water supply regulator said that it is currently repairing the low-level outlet of water in Angat Dam going to Ipo Dam.

“Para i-increase yung precipitation ng Angat natin kasi sabi nga ni PAGASA this is the right time to cloud seed kasi nga medyo maulap yung ating watershed,” Engineer Patrick Dizon, division manager of MWSS, said.

(It is the right time to conduct cloud seeding in Angat Dam because it is cloudy.)

Based on the latest data of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), the water level in Angat Dam has increased from 195.36 meters to 195.78 meters on Wednesday.

The current water level is below the ideal 212 meters, noting that the current 195 meters is very low compared with last year's.

“Any rainfall that can contribute doon sa pagbagal noong pagbaba [ng water level], yung mga pagulan na ‘yun ay napakaimportante,” Dr. Sevillo David, executive director of NWRB, said.

Authorities said if the water level continues to drop, the irrigation of farm lands in Bulacan and Pampanga will be affected.

“Ilan sa projection namin lately ay yung before this yung mga pag-ulan ay by April, May ay aabot tayo sa minimum operating level na 180 meters. Itong mga pag-ulan na ‘to ay tingin namin makakatulong doon sa mapadelay para mareach yung umabot sa minimum operating level,” David said.

(Some of our projections lately are before the rainy season, in the coming months of April and May we will reach the minimum operating level of 180 meters. We think that these rains will help to delay reaching the minimum operating level.)

Meanwhile, the weather bureau PAGASA said the water level in Angat Dam may reach the critical level in June as the latest data was the same during the water crisis last 2010.

“Mas mababa na siya ngayon so ibig sabihin may possibility na umabot siya doon sa critical low level which is 160 meters,” Richard Orendain, hydrologist of PAGASA, said.

(The water level is lower now so there is a possibility that it can reach the critical low level which is 160 meters.)—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News