Angat Dam water release stopped

MANILA, Philippines —  Water release from Angat Dam was terminated yesterday as rainfall in its watershed stopped.

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System division manager Patrick Dizon said the closure of the spill gates aims to maintain a safe level of water elevation in the reservoir and the need to conserve water in preparation for El Niño.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the National Power Corp. terminated water release at 8:20 a.m.

“The elevation is still 214.18 meters, which is higher than the yearend target of 214 meters,” Dizon said.

PAGASA said it does not expect rain in the watershed of Angat Dam in the next 72 hours.

Dam officials said water discharge from Ipo Dam was also terminated.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water level in Ipo Dam was at 101.18 meters or 0.27 lower than the previous day.

Ana Lisa Solis, PAGASA climate monitoring and prediction section head, said the La Niña phenomenon, which is expected in the third or last quarter of 2024, may delay the onset of the rainy season in the country.

Solis said the state weather bureau would continue to monitor the climate pattern, noting that a delay in the onset of the rainy season is “very critical.”