Angat Dam Water Just 1.23 Meters Above Critical Level

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — The water elevation in Angat Dam, the primary source of water for Metro Manila residents, was recorded to be only 1.23 meters above its critical level of 160 meters on Sunday, June 28.

Data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Office showed that the dam’s water elevation was at 161.23 meters at 12 noon.

As the water elevation of the dam continuously recedes toward its critical level, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), the country’s primary coordinating and regulatory agency for all water resources management and development activities, is coordinating with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on the possibility of cloud seeding.

“We are coordinating with them on the viability of conducting such operations,” NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. told The Philippine STAR in a text message.

But Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum said cloud seeding might not be enough to address the problem.

“Cloud seeding needs moisture-rich clouds in the sky, otherwise it will be useless. It can increase only to a small extent the chance of rainfall from a cloud already capable of producing rain in a localized area,” Solidum said in a text message to The STAR.

“It is already rainy season. Cloud seeding’s effectiveness is not significant to address the issue,” he added.

In 2019, the water elevation of Angat Dam fell below its critical level, resulting in the implementation of a rotational water service in Metro Manila.

Water from Angat Dam is currently being allocated for the raw water needs of Metro Manila.

Its water allocation for irrigated rice lands in Bulacan and Pampanga is on hold due to the critical water situation.