Conserve water during dry season: PAGASA

MANILA – As the country starts experiencing the scorching heat, a hydrologist from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Metro Manila residents should conserve water.

In a phone interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday, Edgar dela Cruz said the heat and less rainfall during the dry season would affect the water level in the three dams that are main sources of Metro Manila’s water supply – the Ipo, Angat, and La Mesa dams.

“When the wet season arrives, that would help in increasing the water level in these dams,” dela Cruz said.

PAGASA climate monitoring chief Analiza Solis earlier said the Philippines only observes two seasons – the dry season when rain showers are greatly reduced and when the public could expect higher temperatures; and wet season, which usually begins in June.

For this year, PAGASA declared the onset of the dry season last March 20.

Meanwhile, dela Cruz said water levels in the Ipo and Angat dams were normal as of Thursday.

Angat Dam’s water level reached 191.99 m., while Ipo Dam’s water level measured 100.61 m., he said, adding that these levels are normal.

“For today, the normal water level for Angat Dam should be 187.33 m., so there is an excess of 4.55 m., which means we have a little excess to use for the coming days,” dela Cruz said.

He noted that water concessionaires prefer a 101-m. water level for Ipo Dam, so its water level of 100.61 m. on Thursday “is okay.”

However, La Mesa Dam’s water level was recorded at 76.79 m. on Thursday, according to dela Cruz.

He earlier said that La Mesa Dam’s water level should be at least 78 m. to 79 m.

Despite the below-normal level, dela Cruz said it is still manageable and could not be considered as “abnormal”.