Fresh monsoon rains increased the Angat Dam water level anew but experts cautioned that it is not yet time to rejoice. This as residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces continue to feel the effects of a water crisis in the last few months.
Water level gradually rising up
The agency said the rise is due to the rains brought by the southwest monsoon. It added that Tropical Depression Egay enhanced the showers. Egay did not make landfall but was expected to bring rain to Metro Manila, Bataan, Pangasinan, Zambales, and the Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions. The tropical depression is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the water level in the dam has reached 159.85 meters as of Monday, This is an increase of 1.21 meters from the previous day\s level.
Angat dam water level not yet enough
PAGASA cautioned that it was no time to celebrate yet. Senior weather specialist Chris Perez said in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Angat’s current level is still below the 180-meter normal level required for operation.
Perez added that the rains are expected to make way for a monsoon break after Egay leaves, which would last anywhere from three days to two weeks. He said this will slow down the flow of water into the dam.
The weather specialist explained that the initial downpours of the rainy season were absorbed by the dry watershed area around the dam. The succeeding rainfalls will start seeping into the reservoir and increasing its water level only when the ground is fully saturated. The first increase in water level was observed on Sunday.
Continuing water shortage
The Angat Dam water level plunged below the 160-meter critical water level in June, following a continuing drop during the dry season. Experts pointed this as one of the contributing factors to the water shortage Metro Manila and nearby provinces are experiencing. The situation was further aggravated by the simultaneous drop in the nearby La Mesa dam’s water level.
To compensate for the decreasing supply in the dams, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) reduced the supply for Manila Water and Maynilad. The two water concessionaires service most of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. NWRB also suspended the irrigation allocations for farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga from the Angat Dam in May.
Both Manila Water and Maynilad have implemented water rationing schemes within their service areas. Some of the affected areas are experiencing up to 18 hours a day of low to no water pressure due to the reduction.
Both the NWRB and PAGASA said that water rationing will likely to continue for several months despite the ongoing rains. The weather agency projects the Angat Dam to be back to normal levels by September or October.