Angat Dam water below critical Level - Beware of Water Shortage

Water at the Angat Dam has reached below its critical level, raising the possibility of an earlier shutdown of supply of irrigation water in Bulacan and nearby areas.

Angat Dam Plant Manager Engr. Rodolfo German said supply of irrigation water from Angat will continue to flow until the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) formally orders its shutdown.

As of 6 a.m. today, water level at Angat Dam was at 179.8 meters above sea level. This is below its critical level of 180 meters.

''Inaantay na lang natin ang pormal na abiso ng NWRB kung kelan isa-shut down ito kasi may mga standing crop pa ang natitira sa mga palayan sa Bulacan. Sayang naman kung ititigil natin agad,'' German told dzMM.

German explained that there is a scheduled shutdown of Angat Dam on May 16, but this may come earlier due to the faster than expected depletion of water supply from the dam.

He said water supply to Bustos Dam in Bulacan may also be cut off, as the water comes from Angat Dam. This may severely affect farms and farmers depending on it for water supply.

Angat Dam's critical level for drinking water is at 160 meters above sea level.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hydrologist Danilo Flores said the last time Angat Dam's critical level for drinking water dropped below critical was in 2010.

Flores said it is unlikely that Angat's level for drinking water will dip below critical this year.

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