Angat Dam’s water level dips further below critical mark

Angat Dam supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water, and is also crucial to power generation, as its four hydroelectric turbines produce up to 200 megawatts for the Luzon grid. — File photo by Grig C. Montegrande/INQUIRER MANILA, Philippines — The Angat Dam recorded 151.45 meters above sea level (masl) on Thursday, July 23, dipping further below the 160-meter critical water level threshold, the state weather bureau reported. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the reservoir fell 0.67 meters from Wednesday’s 152.12 masl. The Angat Dam’s water level also declined on Tuesday, plummeting to 152.20 masl from Monday’s 152.53 masl. Article continues after this advertisement The normal high water level of Angat Dam is around 210 masl, with a minimum operating level of 180 masl. Previously, Pagasa said during a climate forum last June that the reservoir would start to replenish by the second to third week of July due to the southwest monsoon rains. READ: Recent rains help irrigate farms despite low water at Angat Dam The National Irrigation Administration Irrigation Management Office in Bulacan said farmlands in Pampanga and Bulacan are heavily dependent on rain water due to the state of the water level of Angat Dam, the critical watershed of the National Capital Region (NCR). READ: Pagasa: Wind signal no. 1 raised over parts of N. Luzon Article continues after this advertisement Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to prevail over parts of the NCR on Thursday due to the southwest monsoon, or habagat, according to Pagasa’s 5 a.m weather bulletin. /das Article continues after this advertisement Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.