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La Mesa Dam water hits critical level but NCR residents need not worry —PAGASA


The water level in La Mesa Dam has hit critical level, according to a report of Allan Gatus on Dobol B sa News TV on Monday.

As of 6 a.m., the dam's water level was at 68.93 meters. The critical water level set for La Mesa Dam is 69 meters.

Unusual drop

PAGASA hydrologist Jason Bausa said that the decline in the water level of the dam is unusual, saying that it dropped too early compared to the previous years.

“Sa September (2018) pa lang last week, patuloy na siya sa pagbaba. Kumpara sa previous years, mas maaga na bumaba ang  lebel. Dumiretso hanggang December at ngayon hanggang March,” Bausa said in an interview.

 

He said according to Manila Water, the decline in the water level in La Mesa Dam was caused by the high demand of water in Metro Manila due to the hot weather, which is one of the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

Bausa said that rainfall in May or June can ease the decline of water level in La Mesa Dam, but, with the El Niño effects, PAGASA is projecting rainfall in June or July.

“Kapag nakaranas na po ng pag-ulan ang La Mesa (Dam) itong May and June,  siguro maiibsan yung impact,” Bausa said in his interview on GMA News TV's News To Go.

The PAGASA hydrologist said Angat Dam may add water supply to La Mesa Dam but it should be well-calculated to keep the water supply last until June.

MM residents will not be affected

Bausa said the situation in La Mesa Dam will only affect few consumers in Metro Manila because 97 percent of the region's consumers get their water supply from Angat Dam.

“Kaya malaki po ang tulong ng Angat [Dam], mataas pa. Nasa 20 meters above pa sa critical,” Bausa said.

Other dams are also being observed. Based on PAGASA's latest dam water level update, the following are the water levels in different dams recorded as of 6 a.m. on Monday:

  • Angat  - 200.59 meters (normal high water level or NHWL - 212.00 meters)
  • Ipo - 101.02 (NHWL – 101 meters)
  • Ambuklao -  749.20 meters (NHWL – 752 meters)
  • Binga - 572.95 meters (NHWL – 575 meters)
  • San Roque -  265.62 meters (NHWL – 280 meters)
  • Pantabangan -  204.95 meters (NHWL – 221 meters)
  • Magat - 169.78  (NHWL – 190 meters)
  • Caliraya -  287.97 meters

“As of now maganda pa ang kundisyon halos lahat ng dam na minomonitor particularly other major dams in Luzon except La Mesa,” Bausa said. —Joviland Rita/KBK/RSJ, GMA News