Angat Dam exceeds normal high of 210 meters, highest since January

MANILA — The water level of Angat Dam reached 210.13 meters Thursday morning, exceeding its normal high water level of 210 meters, according to PAGASA.

Since November 9, the reservoir has gained 1.31 meters due to the persistent rains over the Angat watershed brought by the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan and the Shear Line.

This is the dam’s highest level since January 20, when it registered 210.09 meters. It started 2026 at 211.42 meters.

Angat recorded its historic lowest level of 150.60 meters on July 25, amid the prolonged monsoon break during the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat season.

The reservoir was able to recover in August due to heavy monsoon rains enhanced by passing tropical cyclones. Metro Manila, Zambales, and Benguet received rainfall amounts of up to three times their respective normal monthly averages for the month.

PAGASA said El Niño has been present in the tropical Pacific Ocean since June. It said monsoon rains are typically enhanced when El Niño coincides with the Habagat season.

The weather bureau explained that Angat’s water level usually dips during the warm and dry months of March, April, and May but replenishment begins from July during the Habagat season.

However, full recovery generally takes place during the Amihan season, when the Northeast Monsoon, Shear Line, and Easterlies bring significant rainfall over the eastern portion of Luzon, where the Angat watershed is located.

In July, state hydrologists warned Metro Manila could face a water crisis next year amid the looming Super El Niño if Angat Dam fails to reach its normal high level of 210 meters by the end of 2026.

Angat Dam provides more than 90 percent of the water supply demand of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, making its recovery crucial to the region’s water security. Water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water have repeatedly assured consumers of sufficient water supply despite the threat of Super El Niño.

Manila Water said alternative sources, including the Upper Wawa Dam and Tayabasan Weir, could reduce demand from Angat Dam by 20 to 40 percent. Upper Wawa alone can supply up to 710 million liters per day of raw water.

Meanwhile, Maynilad’s water treatment plants drawing from Laguna de Bay can generate 450 million liters per day.

However, Angat Dam and these alternative water sources could all be affected by the Super El Niño once significant rainfall deficits begin.

PAGASA’s rainfall forecasts show that many parts of Luzon, including Bulacan, Rizal, and Laguna, could experience rainfall reductions of up to more than 60 percent from the end of November through next year’s warm and dry season.

For the Angat watershed, the weather bureau projects rainfall to decrease by more than 30 percent by the end of November to nearly 55 percent by the end of January.

The rainfall deficit could reach nearly 90 percent by the end of February, before improving to about 70 percent by the end of April.

For the Pasig-Laguna River Basin, which includes Laguna de Bay and Upper Wawa Dam, rainfall reductions of more than 90 percent are expected in February, March, and April.

Hydrologists note that it usually takes several months of significant rainfall deficiency, or meteorological drought, before the development of a hydrological drought, which affects lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, and underground aquifers.

El Niño reached very strong intensity, more popularly known as Super El Niño, in November and may peak in December.

However, the climate phenomenon may persist through the first half of 2027, with its impacts potentially extending beyond that period.