THE Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) said the water level at the Buhisan Dam is critical.

MCWD spokesperson Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara said this will affect water distribution in several areas in Cebu City, including Banawa, Horseshoe Drive, Capitol Site, Oppra, Ipil-Ipil, Camputhaw, Clavano, Sambag 1, Sambag 2, F. Ramos, B. Rodriguez, Juana Osmeña, Pier Area, North Reclamation Area, M.J. Cuenco Ave. and M. Velez.

According to her, the dam can only supply 2,000-3,000 cubic meters of water per day, down from last year’s 5,000-6,000 cubic meters per day.

This is expected to further drop in the following weeks to 1,000 cubic meters per day, Kara said.

Jaclupan Dam now produces 27,000 cubic meters of water daily, down from the usual 33,000 cubic meters of water, she added.

Kara advised the public to conserve water as the weak El Niño is already being felt in Cebu with the dry spell likely starting in May.

MCWD gets 20 percent of its total water production from the two dams.

It needs 238,000 cubic meters of water daily to supply its water concessionaires. (from HBL of Superbalita Cebu, VLA)