Six dams remain at ‘critically low’ levels despite recent rains

MANILA, May 22 ------ Recent rains experienced in some parts of the country failed to increase the water levels in major reservoirs, and six dams are "critically low", the head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. "The lack of sufficient rainfall for the past weeks was the key factor in the decrease in the dams' water levels. The recent rainfall is localized due to thunderstorms," PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando told the Philippine News Agency.

He confirmed that the warm and dry season has caused the decline in water levels. "Rains are not enough to raise the water level in dams," he said. Four dams have “critically low” levels, or below the rule curve. These are Angat, Ambuklao, San Roque, and Pantabangan dams. "Aside from those four, we can say La Mesa and Ipo dams are also in a critical low stage since they are interconnected with Angat, making it six dams," Servando added.

PAGASA's record showed that as of Thursday, Angat Dam's water level measured 176.73 m.; Ambuklao, 740.44 m.; San Roque, 227.09 m.; Pantabangan, 187.84 m.; La Mesa, 79.84 m.; and Ipo, 100.29 m. The normal water levels of dams are 210 m. for Angat; 752 m. for Ambuklao; San Roque 280 m.; Pantabangan 221 m.; La Mesa 80.15 m.; and Ipo 101.10 m. Angat Dam supplies 98 percent of the potable water in Metro Manila through the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

Source: pna.gov.ph