Pantabangan, Angat water level still low

MANILA, Philippines — The water levels in Angat Dam in Bulacan and Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija remain low despite rains dumped by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Severe Tropical Storm Florita in the past two days.

Records from the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office showed that the water level in Angat Dam was at 166.30 meters and 176.80 meters on Tuesday and yesterday, respectively.

The water level is 3.20 meters below its minimum operating level of 180 meters and 35.20 meters below its normal high level.

The water level in Pantabangan Dam rose to 186.87 meters on Tuesday and 187.45 meters as of 7:45 a.m. yesterday.

However, it is still 24 meters below its normal operating level of 211.26 meters.

Rosalinda Bote, department manager of the National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System, said Pantabangan Dam is being filled up in preparation for the next cropping season.

”Hindi po tayo magre-release ng tubig sa Pantabangan Dam. Ito ang panahon para tayo ay mag-imbak,” she said.