Residents of Metro of Manila could still experience water shortage in the future, although La Mesa Dam’s current water level is nearing to overflow, an official from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Tuesday.
The water level of La Mesa Dam reached 79.70 meters as of 6 am yesterday, October 13, nearing the 80.15 meters overflow type.
However, PAGASA’s Hydromet Division chief Roy Badilla told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that water shortage is still possible since the water level of Angat Dam, the main water source of La Mesa Dam, remains below normal.
As of 6:00 AM Tuesday (October 13), Angat’s water reserve reached 183.32 meters, an increase of 1.34 meters from 181.98 meters on Monday (October 12).
Earlier, PAGASA administrator Vicente Malano said Angat Dam’s normal water level is 212 meters during the dry season and 210 meters during the wet season.
The official added that La Mesa Dam’s catchment area is small, only about 2,659 hectares.
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Water shortage possible in Metro Manila; Angat Dam’s water level still below normal
On October 11, PAGASA said that La Mesa Dam’s water level had reached 79.81 meters due to continuous rains brought about by a low-pressure area, which became a tropical depression Nika.
“We are hoping that there will be more rains to somehow sustain this flow. We forecast more rains from October to November, but not much on December. There may be water shortage around summer next year,” Badilla said.
Badilla added that even if La Mesa Dam reached its spilling level, flooding depends on the rainfall amount it could collect.
PAGASA maintains the La Mesa Dam situation it issued on Sunday, which says that flooding is possible in low-lying areas along the Tullahan River, he added.
PAGASA said advised the following areas to be alert of possible flooding: Quezon City, Fairview, Forrest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria, San Bartolome, Valenzuela, Barangay Ligon, North Expressway, La Huerta Subdivision, and Malabon.
“The elevation of the reservoir’s water level is quite high. We experienced localized thunderstorms, and (Tropical Depression) Ofel is expected to bring rains in the coming days,” Badilla said.