Angat Dam water elevation now above critical level

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines  – Water elevation at the Angat Dam finally went beyond the critical level of 180 meters above sea level (masl) yesterday after dropping to a record low of 157.54 masl last July 14.

This came as typhoon “Juan” barreled toward northern Philippines yesterday, also posing a threat to parts of central Luzon with strong winds and heavy rainfall, thus putting disaster coordinating councils in Bulacan on alert.

Records obtained by The STAR from the Provincial Disaster Management Office showed that as of 8 a.m. yesterday, the water elevation at the giant reservoir climbed to 180.49 masl.

However, this water level was still low compared to the average 195 to 200 masl water elevation this time of the year.

“This is good news, we might have enough water for irrigation until the next cropping season,” said Liza Sacdalan of the Central Luzon Organic Rice Producers Association based in Plaridel town.

Engineer Rodolfo German, general manager of the Angat River Hydroelectric Power Plant of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) that manages the Angat Dam, said they expect the water level to climb higher due to rainfall to be brought by typhoon “Juan.”

“We hope and we wish that the water elevation at the dam will return to normal levels soon,” German said.

Last April, Angat Dam’s water elevation dropped to a critical 180 meters, and further to a record low of 157.54 masl last July 14 due to the extended effects of the El Niño phenomenon.