Aghon improves water level in Angat Dam

MANILA, Philippines — Rains spawned by Typhoon Aghon have increased the water elevation in Angat Dam in Bulacan by almost one meter.

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, the water level in Angat was 179.79 meters, or higher by 93 centimeters from the previous 178.86 meters.

The elevation was 30.21 meters below the dam’s normal high water level of 210, and only 21 centimeters below its minimum operating level of 180 meters.

Aside from Angat, Aghon also raised the water level in Ipo and La Mesa dams, according to Patrick Dizon, water and sewerage management department manager at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

“The watersheds are saturated. Hopefully, the (water) level in our reservoirs will further increase or the drop will slow down,” Dizon told The STAR yesterday.

He said he received information that water allocation for Metro Manila from June 1 to June 15 may be increased to 51 cubic meters from the current 49 cms.

Earlier, Environment Undersecretary Carlos David said the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) planned to further decrease by one cubic meter the water allocation for Metro Manila starting June 1, as Angat has dropped below its minimum operating level.

David said the NWRB could reconsider the plan if Angat’s water level improves.

Water elevations in Binga Dam in Benguet also increased by 1.12 meters, Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija by 13 centimeters and Caliraya in Laguna by 1.44 meters.