By Catherine Teves/ Philippine News Agency
The onset of the northeast monsoon or amihan amid the re-emergence of the La Niña phenomenon is brightening the water supply potential of Angat Dam in Luzon.
The water in Angat is still below its normal high level, but the amihan can change that especially with La Niña’s help, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hydrologist Edgar dela Cruz said on Saturday (Oct. 16).
“Rain from amihan will raise Angat’s water and bring this closer to its normal high level” and improve Angat’s capability to serve its customers in the coming months, he said.
According to PAGASA, Angat Dam’s water level at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday was 199.67 meters. This is 10.33 meters lower than Angat’s 210 meters normal high.
“There’s hope for Angat as amihan affects this dam more than the southwest monsoon or habagat does,” Dela Cruz said.
He said the watershed of Angat is located closer to the eastern section of Luzon so this dam generally receives more water from the rain of amihan than habagat, which mainly affects the western section.
Amihan prevails in the country from around late October to early March, PAGASA weather forecaster Ana Clauren said.
It is usually more rainy in eastern sections of the country during amihan than in other areas nationwide, she noted, adding that La Niña may enhance the amihan, that may further increase rainfall.
On Oct. 15, PAGASA announced the termination of this year’s habagat season in the Philippines.
La Niña re-emerged this year, so most areas of the country may experience near- to above-normal rainfall between October 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, PAGASA added. (PNA) – jlo
