4 major dams in Luzon still below levels despite rains — PAGASA

Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija. Wikipedia photo by Susan Corpuz.

MANILA — Despite continues rains due to the low pressure area (LPA) and thunderstorms, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Tuesday that it continues to monitor the four major dams in Luzon which still have low water levels.

In an interview, PAGASA Hydrologist Sheila Schneider said these four dams are Angat Dam in Bulacan; San Roque Dam in Pangasinan; Pantabangan dam in Nueva Ecija; and Magat dam in Isabela.

Angat dam supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs while the dams of Pantabangan, Magat, and San Roque are major sources of electricity in Luzon and supplies irrigation water to thousands of hectares of farmland in their surrounding areas.

Schneider said that as of Tuesday morning, Angat dam has 177.37 meters, still below its normal water level of 182 meters.

As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the San Roque dam has 251.77 meters, also below its normal water level of 258 meters.

The Pantabangan dam is at 184.05 meters or 22.71 meters below its normal water level of 206.76 meters

Magat dam has 169.80 meters, also below its normal water level of 181.89 meters.

Schneider said the thunderstorms and rains from the weather disturbance are helping the dams reach their normal levels.

She added that the agency remains optimistic that there will be no water crisis despite the expected El Nino phenomenon early next year.

PAGASA said El Nino will bring lesser rains but heavier rainfall.

Still, Schneider is advising the public to conserve water to prevent a possible shortage.

“Patuloy pa rin kami nanawagan sa publiko gamitin sa tama at matalinong pamamaraan (We are still calling the public to use the water wisely),” she told the Philippines News Agency in a phone interview.

Meanwhile, other dams in Luzon have normal water levels.