Angat Dam water level rises amid very strong El Niño

The water level in Angat Dam in Bulacan slightly increased on Sunday amid the onset of a very strong El Niño in the country, according to PAGASA.

As of 8 a.m., Angat Dam’s water level went up to 209.51 meters on Sunday morning from 209.47 meters on Saturday.

The dam's minimum operating level is 180 meters, while its normal high water level is at 210 meters.

Angat Dam supplies around 90% of the water needs of Metro Manila, Rizal, and portions of Cavite and Bulacan.

Meanwhile, the water levels of the other dams on Sunday are as follows:

• Ipo Dam (100.77 meters)
• La Mesa Dam (79.44 meters)
• Ambuklao (751.06 meters)
• Binga (573.44 meters)
• San Roque (283.54 meters)
• Pantabangan (209.75 meters)
• Magat (191.88 meters)
• Caliraya (286.30 meters)

Earlier this month, the state weather bureau announced that the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) over the Philippines has officially ended, after it observed a gradual shift in the prevailing weather pattern in the country.

PAGASA said the average temperature across the Philippines is set to rise by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius during the El Niño phenomenon.

PAGASA Deputy Administrator for Research and Development Marcelino Villafuerte said that the Philippines is already experiencing a strong El Niño, with the phenomenon likely intensifying even further before the year ends. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/KG, GMA News