Angat dam hits critical level

MANILA, Philippines - The water level at the Angat Dam yesterday reached the critical level of 180 meters due to lack of rainfall.

Based on data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the dam’s elevation was at 180.12 meters as of 6 a.m.

However, it dropped to 180 meters as of 1 p.m.

Rodolfo German, general manager of the Angat River Hydroelectric Power Plant, said the reservoir is still operational but they decided to suspend temporarily the water allocation for irrigation in Bulacan and Pampanga.

Angat Dam supplies 95 percent of Metro Manila’s domestic water needs and irrigation for 27,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

The planned cloud seeding over the dam’s watershed has not started as the National Power Corp. is still trying to secure a clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, said Napocor president Gladys Cruz Sta. Rita.

Meanwhile, Fr. Dario Cabral of the Diocese of Malolos turned to prayer for rain as he held a Mass in Barangay Malhacan, Meycauayan City yesterday.

“We are offering oratio imperata, a prayer to appeal for rain. Nothing is impossible with God,” Cabral told reporters.