Angat water level nears normal high

MANILA, Philippines — The water level in Angat Dam is nearing its normal high of 210 meters due to heavy rainfall spawned by recent typhoons and the southwest monsoon.

Based on monitoring by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the water level in the dam as of 6 a.m. yesterday was at 209.42 meters or 0.64 meters higher compared to its previous level of 208.78 meters.

“The weather systems in the past months had an impact. We had a typhoon in July, which resulted in an abrupt increase in water level,” PAGASA weather facilities specialist II Juan Elmer Caringal said.

He said that it is up to the National Water Resources Board whether to maintain or decrease the water allocation for Metro Manila residents and irrigation of rice fields in Bulacan and parts of Pampanga.

Caringal said the forecast basin rainfall for Angat Dam will reach 76.2 millimeters by Nov. 30.

The allocation for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water is pegged at 50 cubic meters per second.

Angat Dam supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs and  irrigation of 25,000 hectares of farmland in Bulacan and Pampanga.

Below normal rainfall

Meanwhile, PAGASA weather specialist Joey Figuracion said many areas in the country experienced below normal rainfall due to moderate El Niño.

Figuracion said below normal rain was experienced in 67 provinces, way below normal rain in seven provinces and above normal rain in two provinces.

Figuracion said dry condition was experienced in Kalinga, Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Laguna, Palawan, Camarines Sur and Guimaras.

Dry spells were experienced in Batangas, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro and Lanao del Norte.

PAGASA senior weather specialist Rusy Abastillas said a stronger El Niño is expected in the coming months.

Abastillas said the moderate El Niño being experienced now would become  strong starting November and will peak by January and February.

She said this means below normal rainfall is expected in most parts of Luzon.

“There is a 70 percent probability of below normal rainfall, mostly in Central Luzon, Bicol and some parts of the Visayas.” Abastillas said. ”For December, the concentration of rain will be in the eastern section ng Luzon and the Visayas as well as the Mindanao area.”