Water level in dams still dropping despite rains —NWRB

Water levels in the country’s major water reservoirs, including Angat Dam, continue to drop despite the continuous rains brought about by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said Wednesday.

“Base sa mga datos natin nang mga nakaraang araw, patuloy na bumababa ‘yung major dams natin, partikular na itong Angat Dam. Itong mga pag-ulan na nararanasan natin na epekto ng Habagat, sa ngayon, ayon sa pagmo-monitor natin, ay di pa nakakaabot sa watersheds,” said NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. in a public briefing.

(Based on our data, the water level in the major dams particularly the Angat Dam continues to drop. The rains we’re experiencing due to the Habagat have not reached our watersheds.)

The reservoir water level (RWL) at Angat Dam currently stands at 181.22 meters—only slightly higher than its minimum operating water level of 180 meters.

If the water level falls below 180 meters, David said, there will be reduced allocation for irrigation and power systems in Luzon as the NWRB will prioritize supplying water to Metro Manila.

“Masasabi natin na bumaba pero di pa natin masasabi na effect ng El Niño. Sabi nga ng PAGASA, ang posibleng epekto ng El Niño ay nararamdaman natin bago magtapos ang taon hanggang sa susunod na taon,” he added.

(We can say the water level in the dams is decreasing but this is not due to the El Niño. PAGASA said the possible effects of the phenomenon may be felt in the country by the end of the year until  2024.)

State weather bureau PAGASA on Tuesday declared the onset of the El Niño phenomenon.

However, it said above-normal rainfall conditions may also be expected over the western part of the country during the Habagat season. Generally near to above normal rainfall conditions are also expected from July to September while the potential effects of El Niño will be slowly evident starting October.

The El Niño phenomenon is characterized by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and below-normal rainfall.

In May, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called for the creation of a team that would focus on mitigating the effects of the El Niño phenomenon in the country. — BM, GMA Integrated News