Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 1) — Although Angat Dam slightly increased as Typhoon Tisoy nears its landfall, the state weather bureau said it takes at least two typhoons to reach the ideal water level.
However, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday said that Tisoy will not bring torrential rainfall to help the dam reached its ideal water level.
“Meron siyang mga dalang ulan, pero hindi siya yung torrential na sinasabi…Ang nakikita po natin may dala siyang pag-ulan, ito po ay frequent to continuous heavy rainfalls,” said PAGASA weather services chief Esperanza Cayanan
[Translation: It brings rain but not torrential just like what others are expecting…What we see is that it will bring frequent to continuous heavy rainfalls.]
Cayanan added, “Hindi ganoon sobrang dami ang ibubuhos habang dumadaan siya.”
[Translation: Its rainfall will not be much as it passes by in the country.]
Angat Dam slightly increased by 0.17 meters today. The water level in the dam is now at 188.97 meters.
“As of 6am ngayon umaga, ang Angat dam ay bahagyang umangat ng 0.17 meters. Ito po ay nasa 188.97 meters [ngayon], ito po ay kahapon nasa 188.80 meters,” said PAGASA hydrologist Sonia Serrano.
[Translation: As of 6am this morning, Angat Dam’s level slightly increased by 0.17 meters. It is currently at 188.97 meters as compared to 188.80 meters yesterday.]
Located in Norzagaray, Bulacan, Angat is one of Metro Manila’s main sources of water supply along with Ipo and La Mesa dams.
However, PAGASA said that 990 mm of water is needed to make up for the ideal end-of-the-year level of 212 meters.
“990 mm of rain ang kailangan para mapuno ng 212.0 meters ang Angat dam, siguro dalawa o tatlong bagyo ang kailangan para po mapuno ito,” said Serrano.
[Translation: 990 mm of rain is needed to fill it up by 212.0 meters. It might take at least two to three typhoons to fill it up.]
Tisoy is expected to make a landfall in the country between Monday evening and early Tuesday.
Early this year, Metro Manila residents faced water crisis after Angat’s supply reached critical levels. This resulted in daily cuts in water supplies.
