CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — The water level at Angat Dam has dipped below its 180-meter minimum operating level, fueled by extreme summer heat and a prolonged absence of significant rainfall over its watershed, on Friday, May 15, 2026, the reservoir is now in a critical phase where water allocation is being strictly prioritized for domestic use over agricultural irrigation.
The decline has been rapid, with the reservoir losing significant volume over the last few months as the peak of the warm and dry season intensifies.
- Current Level: As of Thursday, May 14, the water level stood at 178.87 meters above sea level (masl).
- Operating Deficit: This is more than one meter below the 180 masl minimum operating level and approximately 34 meters below the normal high-water level of 212 masl.
- Rapid Drop: For context, the elevation was still at 190.17 masl in mid-April and as high as 210.29 masl in January.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Angat Maasim River Irrigation System (AMRIS) have already taken steps to manage the dwindling supply:
- Supply Cutoff: Irrigation supply was reduced from 35 cubic meters per second (cms) to 30 cms before being completely stopped on April 30.
- Farmer Status: Fortunately, most farmers in Bulacan and Pampanga—serving over 27,000 hectares—had already harvested their January crops. However, those who planted late in February are now forced to rely solely on sporadic rains for their remaining standing crops due for harvest later this month.
- Prioritization: Authorities emphasized that with the dam below 180 meters, the priority is maintaining the 97% of Metro Manila’s water demand supplied by the reservoir.
The record-breaking heat of 2026 has accelerated evaporation and increased water demand:
- Dangerous Levels: The heat index in Bulacan and Metro Manila has frequently hit the “danger” category (42°C to 51°C).
- Record Temperature: On May 11, Echague, Isabela recorded 40.4°C, the hottest temperature in the country so far this year, contributing to the overall dryness of the Luzon landmass.
- Watershed Status: While localized thunderstorms have hit parts of Northern Luzon, the Angat watershed in the Sierra Madre has received “little to no rain,” preventing the reservoir from recharging.
PAGASA hydrologists expect the dam’s level to continue its slight daily decrease unless significant rains from a tropical cyclone or the onset of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) occur.
- Critical Threshold: While below the operating level, the dam is still above the 160-meter critical low level, at which point severe water rationing and service interruptions for Metro Manila would be implemented.
- Public Advisory: The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has urged the public to intensify water conservation efforts to delay further depletion before the rainy season officially begins, which is expected in the second half of May or early June.