Chances of drought higher, says Pagasa
WATER levels in four major dams in Luzon have continued to fall, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) to reiterate its call for the public to conserve water.
Pagasa hydrologist Edgar de la Cruz said levels in major reservoirs in Luzon were observed to be uncharacteristically low even before the El Niño could set in.
The phenomenon is expected next month.
"Patuloy ang pagbaba ng water level sa mga major dams natin in Luzon kahit wala pa ang El Niño phenomenon," said De la Cruz.
De la Cruz said the dams in Angat in Bulacan, Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija, San Roque in Pangasinan, and Magat in Isabela were already showing low water level records.
He said water level in Angat, the main source of Metro Manila’s domestic water supply, is at 201.93 meters, or 1.5 meters below the normal level. Pantabangan dam is 1.16 meters below the normal level while the other dams have dropped more than one to two meters below the normal level.
Dela Cruz said these are not yet critical levels.
"But we see a declining trend because water levels are not replenished due to lack of rain. Lalo na siguro kung may El Niño pa," he said.
De la Cruz said the chances of drought are now high.
"The public may not feel that the water supply is dwindling down now, pero sa mga susunod na buwan maaaring maramdaman na natin ito," De la Cruz. "This is the reason we need to act now. Everybody must start conserving water."
De la Cruz also said the impacts of El Niño phenomenon on water supply would linger until June to July even if it is predicted to end in May.
"Kapag nagpatuloy ang pagbaba ng tubig sa mga dams na ito ang unang maaapektuhan ay ang mga farmers. Maaari din tayo magkaroon ng series of brownouts dahil sa kakulangan ng tubig para sa hydroelectric," he said.
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