Cloud seeding over Angat Dam set from March to April –NWRB

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Monday said cloud seeding operations to help increase the water level in Angat Dam are already set for March to April.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said they have laid out their preparations to maintain enough water supply amid the looming dry season.

"Ang cloud seeding operations ay naka-ready sa ngayon at naka-plano nang magsagawa ngayong buwan na ‘to hanggang Abril," he said.

"Nakikipagugnayan ang MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System) sa PAGASA kasi kailangan nating tignan ano 'yung mga timing at pagbuo ng ulap."

(Cloud seeding operations are ready and are planned for this month until April. We are coordinating with the MWSS and PAGASA to determine the right timing and cloud formation.)

PAGASA previously said water level in Angat Dam may reach the critical level in June as latest data show similarity to data during the 2010 water crisis.

Due to this, David said they have adjusted the water allocation for irrigation and have activated some deep wells to boost water supply.

"Sa ngayon po, kaninang umaga, ang level ng Angat Dam ay nasa 195.20 meters. Masasabi natin na mababa pa siya doon sa normal na level ng Angat Dam. Sa mga ganitong panahon, sa tingin natin mas maganda nasa mga 200 [meters] 'yan o mas mataas pa," he said.

(Water level in Angat Dam this morning was at 195.20 meters, which is still low compared to its normal level. In these times, we think it would be better for it to reach 200 meters or above.)

As of 6 a.m. on Monday, PAGASA’s data showed the water level at Angat Dam was at 195.32 meters, which is 16.68 meters below its normal high water level of 212 meters.

Dam updates as of 6:00 AM, 07 March 2022 pic.twitter.com/902en9iFI3

— PAGASA-DOST (@dost_pagasa) March 6, 2022

Angat Dam supplies around 96% of Metro Manila's water requirements.

Faced with this, David asked the public to help conserve water.

"Kung minsan maaksaya tayo sa paggamit. Kung pagtutulungan po natin ito, 'yung collective na matitipid natin sa tubig, sa tingin natin ay malaki ang maibibigay no'n," he said.

(We sometimes use too much water. It will be a big help if we will collectively help conserve water.)

Concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water earlier said they are preparing measures to mitigate the impact on customers of the low water level in Angat Dam. —KBK, GMA News