Water levels in several major dams in Luzon remain relatively healthy and are currently higher than levels recorded during previous El Niño events, including in 2024 and 2019, a PAGASA hydrologist said Wednesday.
Interviewed during DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Ailene Abelardo of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said water levels in major dams monitored by the agency remained adequate as the country braces for a potentially severe El Niño.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the water level at Angat Dam stood at 208.07 meters, down 0.17 meter over the previous 24 hours.
The Ipo Dam, downstream from Angat, was at 99.98 meters, also a 0.17-meter decline. La Mesa Dam in Quezon City, meanwhile, stood at 79.26 meters after rising 0.06 meter.
Abelardo said several dams in Northern Luzon also recorded increases. Ambuklao Dam in Benguet rose 0.24 meter to 761.53 meters, while Binga Dam increased 0.33 meter to 573.80 meters.
Pantabangan Dam stood at 208.53 meters, up 0.16 meter, while Magat Dam reached 190.71 meters after rising 0.36 meter.
San Roque Dam was the exception among the major reservoirs cited, falling 0.09 meter to 282.96 meters.
Abelardo also said the Upper Wawa Dam's water level remained high, reaching above its spilling level of 135 meters on a near-daily basis.
She said comparisons using the same date showed that the water level at Upper Wawa Dam on Oct. 6 was higher than levels recorded during previous El Niño events, including those in 2024 and 2019. Water shortages and rationing had also been experienced in Metro Manila during an earlier El Niño in 2010.
"Mas mataas kumpara sa mga nakalipas na El Niño event," Abelardo said of the current level.
The remarks came after Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum warned that all provinces in the Philippines could be affected by drought by March 2027.
Abelardo said current water supplies would likely remain sufficient in the coming months, but cautioned against complacency as demand could increase with population growth and greater water consumption.
“Sa ngayon siguro sa mga susunod na buwan pa, enough pa po ito. Pero siyempre hindi po tayo pwede magpakampante.”
She urged the public to conserve water and use supplies responsibly as the country prepares for the potential impacts of El Niño.
