By Catherine Teves/Philippine News Agency
MANILA – Severe Tropical Storm Hanna (international name ‘Lekima’) is lingering east of Luzon, likely further benefiting water shortage-hit Angat Dam.
“Hanna” is almost stationary so this storm is still enhancing the southwest monsoon or “habagat” that’s been bringing rain to Luzon where Angat is, noted Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Lorie dela Cruz.
Such enhancement will enable “habagat” to continue bringing rain to Luzon including the Angat area, she noted.
“That rain will help further increase water in Angat Dam,” said PAGASA hydrologist Jason Bausa.
He, however, clarified the expected increase in Angat and corresponding rise in water level there will vary from day to day as this will depend on quantity of rain that will fall over the watershed where the dam is located.
In its 11 a.m. severe weather bulletin on Tuesday, PAGASA said the center of “Hanna” was 795 km east of Cagayan province’s Calayan municipality as of 10 a.m.
“Hanna” is almost stationary with packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 115 kph,” PAGASA said.
Lack of rainfall amid the still-prevailing El Niño phenomenon in the past months already caused Angat’s water level to dip below the 180 meters minimum operating level of the dam, noted PAGASA.
Rain from thunderstorms and “habagat” has been helping Angat gain some water, it said.
“Last week, rain from ‘habagat’ helped significantly increase Angat’s water,” Bausa said.
Angat Dam’s 6 a.m. water level was at 169.26 meters on Tuesday — nearly a meter higher than the 168.33 meters elevation yesterday, PAGASA said.
“There’s chance for water in Angat to increase further due to expected rain this August,” Bausa added.
For August 2019, PAGASA forecast two to four tropical cyclones (TCs) within Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).
PAGASA said thunderstorms, “habagat,”, low-pressure areas and intertropical convergence zone are the other rain-bearing weather systems that may affect the country this August.
“Hanna” may further intensify on Thursday while still inside PAR — further enhancing “habagat”, noted PAGASA forecaster Benison Estareja.
That means rain remains possible this week in Luzon, including the area where Angat Dam is.
He said “Hanna” may exit PAR around Friday and is forecast to head towards Taiwan.
PAGASA said at present, there are two TCs east of Luzon and outside PAR.
“Both are unlikely to affect to the country,” Dela Cruz, however, said.
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