The water levels of several dams in Luzon continue to drop as temperatures rise due to the hot season, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported.
Angat Dam, which supplies 98 percent of the potable water in Metro Manila through the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, is currently at 203.08 meters, down from 203.25 meters on March 10, the state weather bureau’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief Analiza Solis said.
Solis, quoted by ABS-CBN, further said the levels are still manageable. She said PAGASA is still able to manage the water levels in Angat Dam.
“After the effects of El Nino and the warm season, we will be able to recover when the rainy season comes,” she said.
Solis said there is also a 55 percent chance that the La Niña phenomenon will be felt by June-August or July-September this year.
PAGASA further reported that other dams that have shown a dip in water levels include: La Mesa Dam – 76 meters; Ambuklao Dam – 747.70 meters; Binga Dam – 569.60 meters; San Roque Dam – 238.77 meters; Pantabangan Dam – 182.38 meters; and Magat Dam – 172.05 meters.
The El Niño weather phenomenon has so far caused over P1.23 billion in agricultural damage across the country, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) meanwhile said.
In its latest situation report, the agency said Western Visayas is the hardest-hit region, incurring P678.7 million in agricultural damage; followed by Mimaropa (P319.7 million); Cagayan Valley (P180.4 million); Ilocos (P54.4 million); Calabarzon (P2.75 million) and Zamboanga Peninsula (P717,527).
A total of 29,409 farmers and fisherfolk have been affected while the affected crop area has reached a total of 26,731.4 hectares.
Out of the total affected crop area, 11,276.32 hectares were classified as “totally damaged” or having no chance of recovery from the effects of the El Niño while 15,455.08 hectares were partially damaged or having a chance of recovery.