MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on Tuesday said water level at Angat Dam may drop to its critical level in two days if there would be no rain.

MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco said water level at Angat Dam stands at around 162 meters, only two meters above the dam’s critical level of 160 meters.

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“Mga 162 meters pa naman pero bababa pa ‘yan kapag hindi umulan. Ang critical level nyan is 160 [meters] so by two days from now bababa ‘yan sa 160 [meters] so we have to do something,” Velasco said in a phone interview.

READ: Water level in Angat, Ipo dams continue to dip

The MWSS official said they had already presented the situation to the two water concessionaires in Metro Manila — Maynilad and Manila Water — and advised the public of possible rationing and rotational interruptions due to the dipping water level at the dam.

“We are trying to manage it kasi hindi naman natin pwedeng matigil ang nature so mayroon na tayong action dyan. We have already given the situation sa two concessionaires, they should manage it according to what is applicable,” Velasco said.

“Magkakaroon ng rationing. But this should be managed by the concessionaires,” he added.

Velasco has also called for a physical working group to meet on a weekly basis to check on the developments of the water level at the dams.

He added that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) was also asked to attend the next meeting to present the weather forecast for the following days.

“We are asking them (Pag-asa) to appear again on the meeting on Monday, so they can give what is the approximate forecast para ma-adjust natin yung advisory sa mga tao,” Velasco said.

Asked if the public should be worried, Velasco said the water level is still manageable but water level would continuously dip if there would be no rain.

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“So far naman okay, we can manage. Kaya lang there has to be rotational interruption. As far as implementation, bahala na ang concessionaires,” Velasco said.

“Pag hindi umulan, bababa yan. It is inevitable. But we are expecting naman na uulan, as to when, we cannot say,” he added. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)

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