MANILA -- Water level in Angat Dam continues to drop despite the impending passage of a tropical storm that would enhance monsoon rains in the area, the state weather bureau said.
As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the water level in Metro Manila's main reservoir dipped to 157.70 meters above sea level, shattering Monday's all-time low record of 157.94 meters, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported.
Angat Dam supplies 97 percent of the capital's water needs as government officials shrugged off claims of water crisis despite the below-critical status of the dam.
The critical level of the dam is at 160 meters.
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje said last week that the water situation in Metro Manila is still normal while Angat Dam manager Engineer Rodolfo German maintained that the current level will not affect the capital's water supply in one-and-a-half months.
"The water situation in Metro Manila remains tight. However, there is no water crisis yet. But with or without water crisis, each one of us should conserve water to avoid shortage in the near future," said Paje. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)