METRO Manila’s main source of water, the Angat Dam, has enough water to last through summer, which may commence this weekend, a hydrologist of the state weather bureau said.
“It is unlikely for Angat to experience water shortage this April and May,” Richard Orendain said, referring to the country’s summer months.
Orendain projected that Angat’s water levels by the end of April and May would be higher than the dam’s rule curves, and would thus be sufficient for the needs of the facility’s service areas.
The government has set rule curves to guide the dam’s operation so it could meet its purposes.
Built in the 1960s, Angat Dam supplies water for irrigation, power production, and about 97 percent of Metro Manila’s needs.
Orendain put Angat’s water level last March 31 at 202.39 meters, higher than its corresponding 190.4 meters rule curve.
Projected water level by April 30 is about 194 meters, still exceeding the 186.40 meters rule curve, he said, adding that while the water level may further dip to some 186 meters by May 31, it would still be higher than the dam’s 183.6 meters rule curve for this month.
“The data indicate Angat can supply this April and May, at the present rate of 61 cubic meters per second, water for this dam’s various purposes,” he said.
The expected Angat water level by the end of May indicates the dam could supply enough water until mid-June.
Despite the optimistic outlook, however, the weather bureau continues to urge the public to conserve water so supply could last longer.
Authorities have said that a possible recurrence of the drought-driving El Niño phenomenon this year is elevating the need for water conservation.
Pagasa earlier clarified that Philippine “summer” has not yet officially begun this year.
“Latest data indicate the annual northeast monsoon or ‘amihan’ has not yet even terminated,” weather forecaster Benison Estareja said after some reports cited the agency as having already declared April 5 the start of summer in the country.
Citing the bureau’s 24-hour forecast released Thursday, he said the weak amihan is affecting northern and central Luzon and will likely continue to weaken until this weather system terminates.