(UPDATE) THE Angat Dam has breached its normal high water level (NHWL) of 212 meters, hitting the 214.54 m mark as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
But the dam’s operator, the National Power Corp. (NPC), has so far not advised opening the reservoir’s spill gates.
Angat Dam is located within the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve in Barangay San Lorenzo, Norzagaray, Bulacan. It is the main source of potable water for Metro Manila and irrigation for adjoining provinces.
Pagasa hydrologist Ailene Abelardo told The Manila Times in a Viber interview that the dam’s water level as of Wednesday morning was at 214.54 m, or a deviation of 2.52 m from its NHWL.
Late last month, Pagasa administrator Nathaniel Servando told the TMT that its control gates would be opened to release excess water at the 214 m level.
Asked if Pagasa could make recommendations on the opening of the gates, Abelardo said all the agency could do was provide NPC with “day-to-day and regular” updates.
Aside from NPC, Abelardo said there is also the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), which regulates water resources and potable water, which has a say on the dam’s operations.
“Maybe they are also considering other things before they decide to open Angat’s gates to release excess water. What Pagasa does is provide NPC and NWRB with vital information,” Abelardo said.
“We were just told to be on alert,” Abelardo added.
The Norzagaray dam is 131 meters high and impounds water from the Angat River.
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