Angat Dam water almost down to minimum operating level —PAGASA

The water level in Angat Dam dipped to almost its minimum operating level on Sunday, according to the update of state weather bureau PAGASA.

From 181.20 meters on Saturday, Angat Dam’s water level dropped to 180.95 m on Sunday.

The minimum operating of Angat Dam is at 180 meters.

The dam's water level further went down on Monday at 8 a.m., registering 180.73 meters.

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

On Friday, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said it has lowered the water allocation for Metro Manila.

However, the move does not mean water supply will be interrupted, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Maliit siya in terms of the total volume. Two percent lang siya ng 50 (cubic meters per second.) Pero ang 1 cubic meter per second kasi is good as a supply for about 400,000 people,” DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David earlier said.

(It is small in terms of the total volume. It's only 2% of 50 cubic meters per second. But 1 cubic meter per second is good for about 400,000 people.)

“Wala pa ring magiging interruptions na mangyayari. Ang pinakamararanasan ng ilan sa ating mga residente ay ang pagbaba ng water pressure even during the day time," added David.

(There will still be no interruptions. What will happen is lower water pressure even during day time.)

According to the DENR, all concerned areas are already experiencing a slight reduction in pressure during off-peak hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

PAGASA on March 22 declared the start of the warm and dry season in the country. It previously said the El Niño phenomenon started on July 4 last year—which meant lesser rainfall. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News