La Mesa dam hits ‘low critical level’–Pagasa

WATER from the La Mesa dam, which supplies water in Metro Manila, has hit the “low critical level” on Monday, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) recorded La Mesa’s water level at 68.93 meters, a -0.09 decrease from Sunday, slightly below the 69-meter critical level set by the Manila Water Company.

To address the rapid decline, Manila Water has been implementing water interruptions in some areas in the cities of Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, Taguig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Antipolo, Angono, Binangonan, San Mateo, Rodriguez, Taytay, and Jalajala in Rizal since last week.

Angat dam, which supplies 97 percent of La Mesa dam’s reserves, also declined by 0.38 meters from Sunday to 200.59 meters, still 20 meters from the critical level.

Other dams have also experienced declining levels but remained within the normal range.

Recorded water levels were 101.02 for Ipo dam, 572.95 meters for Binga dam, 265.62 meters for San Roque dam, 204.95 meters for Pantabangan and 169.78 meters for Magat dam.

Ambuklao dam increased by 0.02 meters to 749.20 meters while Caliraya dam increased by 1.15 meters to 287.97 meters.

Critical low levels were set at 180 meters for Angat, 694 meters for Ambuklao, 555 meters for Binga dam, 225 meters for San Roque dam, 171.50 meters for Pantabangan dam, and 160 meters for Magat dam.