Water elevation in 2 Luzon dams improves

MANILA, Philippines — From nine in the past few days, the number of dams in Luzon with decreasing water level has gone down to seven.

This developed after the water level at Ipo and Caliraya dams in Bulacan and Laguna, respectively, slightly improved yesterday.

Ipo’s water level increased by 0.33 meters, or from 99.93 the other day to 99.60 meters.

Caliraya reported an increase of 1.18 meters or from 286.48 to 287.66 meters.

Meanwhile, the water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan further dropped to 210.33 meters as of 6 a.m. yesterday, from the previous day’s 210.47 meters, or a difference of 0.14 meters.

Angat is the main source of potable water for Metro Manila households.

Aside from Angat, other dams with declining water levels are Ambuklao and Binga in Benguet, Magat in Isabela, Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija and San Roque in Pangasinan as well as La Mesa in Quezon City.

Amihan affects Northern Luzon

At least two weather systems are affecting the country, but no typhoon or low-pressure area (LPA) is expected to develop this week, according to the Philippine Atmospheric. Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina yesterday said the northeast monsoon or amihan is affecting extreme Northern Luzon while easterlies prevail over the rest of the country.

“The northeast monsoon or amihan will bring light rain, particularly in Batanes and Babuyan Island. For the rest of the country, easterlies or warm air from the Pacific Ocean will bring generally fair weather, although there are still chances of isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms,” Badrina said.

Meanwhile, the government has sent P27 million worth of humanitarian assistance to flood victims in Mindanao.

Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said the assistance included food and non-food items that were distributed to families displaced by a shear line and trough of an LPA in Davao and Caraga regions.

More than 41,100 family food packs were distributed in Agusan del Sur as well as in Davao region, he said. — Sheila Crisostomo, Evelyn Macairan, John Unson