EFFECTS OF EL NIÑO: ANGAT DAM WATER LEVEL; CEBU UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY

 El Niño phenomenon effects droughts and water level decreased (Photo courtesy of Niño Jesus Orbeta/Inquirer)

Despite the experienced heavy rainfalls for the past few days, the water level in Angat Dam is almost near to its minimum operating level of 180 meters that dropped to 180.73 meters. While the entire province of Cebu is declared under state of calamity due to the severe damage of El Niño to its crops and livestock’s over P170 million. 

The effects of El Niño are still experienced in the country, with the dangerous heat indexes forecast that reach 46°C. The agriculture sector in the provinces is still in pain with the drought that the phenomenon has brought to their livelihood. 

Hydrologist Elmer Caringal of hydrometeorology division Pagasa said that, "Besides the dry season, the effects of El Niño also caused the Angat Dam water level to decrease, which is why we experienced extreme heat. But the rainy season is coming.”

“The lowering of the Angat Dam continues. Even though we are experiencing some rain, the dam will still undergo a transition since the thirsty mountains and trees will absorb all the rainwater,” he added.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2024-065 to combat the continued decrease of Angat Dam’s water level. The local chief executives and barangay captains were instructed to regularly “monitor water meters and immediately report leaks to concerned water service providers.”

On Cebu City, the provincial government submits the initial reports detailing the damage and losses to crops and livestock in several areas of the province caused by the ongoing drought from the El Niño phenomenon to declare the entire province under a state of calamity.

"This prompts us to think about ways and means of addressing this huge challenge, not necessarily giving ayuda. But we will be helping farmers help themselves. That is the culture that we wish to nurture in the entire province, not the culture of mendicancy. You only get lazy people from that," Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia stated. 

Source: The Manila Times

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