Pagasa: Monsoon rains to replenish major dams

MANILA, Philippines – Rains spawned by the southwest monsoon or habagat are expected to replenish major dams in the country, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

Elmer Caringal, hydrologist at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said most dams are still below their spilling level.

The water level in dams dropped due to lack of rain because of El Niño.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water level in Angat Dam in Bulacan  was at 186.17 meters, 23.83 meters below its normal operating level of 210 meters. Angat supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water requirements.

The water level in Ipo Dam was at 100.61 meters, l.39 meters below its normal level.

Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija was below its spilling level of 192.27 meters as of yesterday morning.

Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Benguet remained below their spilling level of 743.45 meters and 570.48 meters, respectively.

The water level in San Roque Dam in Pangasinan and Magat Dam in Isabela was at 240.17 meters and 179.89 meters, respectively.

Caringal said Angat Dam needs around 1,050 millimeters of rain to reach its normal water level while  Pantabangan needs 2,362 mm of rain.

Up to 17 tropical cyclones are expected to enter the country until October, PAGASA said.

La Niña is expected to bring above normal rainfall in some parts of the country until the last quarter of the year.