Ambo rains raise water level in Bulacan dams

MALOLOS, Philippines —  The water level in the dams in Bulacan has increased due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon  Ambo.

Angat Dam’s water elevation was monitored at 190. 28 meters yesterday. It was 2.76 meters higher than Friday’s 187.52 meters or 10.28 meters above its minimum operating level.

The normal high operating level of Angat Dam, which supplies 90 percent of Metro Manila’s water needs, is 212 meters.

Authorities said the dam’s water level should not dip to its critical mark to ensure a steady supply not only for households amid the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, but also for irrigation of farms in Bulacan and parts of Pampanga.

The water level in Ipo Dam yesterday was at 100.66 meters, an increase of .50 meters compared to Friday.

Bustos Dam’s water elevation was at 15.06 meters compared to 14.80 meters the other day.

Felix Robles, Bustos Dam’s water control and coordinating unit head, said their engineering unit is rushing repair works on the dam’s rubber gate 5, which was supposed to be completed on Friday.

Robles said irrigation deliveries to the south zone service areas of the National Irrigation Administration in Bulacan is scheduled to start on June 1.

Crispulo Bautista, Department of Agriculture-Central Luzon director, said rains spawned by Ambo was a welcome development for farmers who are preparing for the rice cropping season.