The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday recorded the highest daily decrease of at least 40 centimeters in Angat Dam's water level from its record of 186.55 meters.
In a report, PAGASA said the water level at Angat Dam is still 3.63 meters below the rule curve elevation of 182.5 meters required to fulfill its tasks.
Angat Dam supplies more than 90% of potable water requirements in Metro Manila and irrigates 25,000 hectares of agriculture in Bulacan and Pampanga.
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has extended the 52 cubic meters per second (cms) water allocation for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water until June 30 in order to avert rotating water disruption for over one million connections.
NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. said that another expansion of the 52 cms water allocation for the two water concessionaires cannot be granted, based on PAGASA projections.
According to the state weather bureau's forecasts, Angat Dam will not recover by the end of the year, especially during El Niño.
Despite the dam's declining water level, David stated that no cloud-seeding procedures were planned to help raise the water height of Angat Dam's water level.
He noted that if the water level at Angat Dam would fall below the minimum operational level of 180 meters, the water supply prioritized for Metro Manila consumption and irrigation and power generation water allocations may be terminated.
David previously stated that clouding-seeding for Angat Dam water resources is part of the mitigation measures for the potential effects of El Niño.
He also stated that the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) will discuss the cloud-seeding operation dates with PAGASA and the Bureau of Water and Soil Management.
