Residents urged to conserve water as El Niño looms

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila residents should conserve water as the most intense El Niño in 17 years is supposed to hit the country from October until early next year, the National Water and Resources Board (NWRB) said yesterday.

“Though heavy rains are intermittently experienced in the metro, these may only last until September,”  according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, NWRB deputy executive director Jorge Estioko said.

Estioko said that mitigating measures should be undertaken to ensure the availability of water until summer next year.

NWRB executive director Sevillo David said the agency has reduced the supply of water from Angat Dam to Metro Manila and has not released any for irrigation.