PAGASA: Water levels in all Luzon dams below normal

The water levels of all nine dams in Luzon have dropped to below normal as provinces continue to reel from the brunt of the El Niño phenomenon, data from state weather bureau PAGASA showed.

Based on a report Tuesday by the PAGASA Hydrometeorology Division, the water levels have been on a general downward trend since Jan. 1 or the start of 2024.

All dams were at below-normal levels for the first time this year starting Jan. 27, after the water in Angat Dam dipped to 211 meters.

Angat Dam, which supplies water to over 98% of Metro Manila, has dropped further to 210.08 meters, which is 1.92 meters lower than the regular 212-meter level.

The water supply in Angat at the start of the year stood at a more robust 214 meters, or 2 meters higher than the normal.

Aside from Angat Dam, all other dams entered the new year with below-normal water levels.

La Mesa Dam, another key water source for Metro Manila and nearby provinces, fell short of the normal 80.15-meter level with only 78.05 meters of water.

Of all the nine dams, only Ipo Dam registered a notable rise this year. After slipping to 97 meters on Jan. 29, its water level has increased to 99 meters although this was still 2 meters shy of its normal 101-meter level. Ipo Dam has remained at the 99-meter level since Feb. 1.

As for the six other dams, their current and normal water levels, respectively, are:

• Ambuklao Dam — 750.94 meters (normal: 752 meters)
• Binga Dam — 572.75 meters (normal: 575 meters)
• San Roque Dam — 249.65 meters (normal: 280 meters)
• Pantabangan Dam — 192.05 meters (normal: 221 meters)
• Magat Dam — 183.14 meters (normal: 193 meters)
• Caliraya — 287.51 meters (normal level not indicated; 288 meters, as per 2020 Napocor report)

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) last month assured that the country's water supply would be sufficient this summer despite the effects of the El Niño.

MWSS added that although water interruptions may occur, these would not be caused by insufficient water supply.

PAGASA had forecast the extreme climate phenomenon to peak in February, with its effects possibly felt until June.

By April, as many as 56 provinces may be grappling with the El Niño, according to the state weather bureau.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed last month Executive Order 53 reactivating Task Force El Niño, which would implement "both short and long-term solutions to ensure food, water and energy security, safeguard livelihoods, and improve the country's disaster and climate resilience." — VDV, GMA Integrated News