The Philippines is currently under a dry spell and Manileños are experiencing this first hand.
Quezon City’s La Mesa Dam whose reservoir partly supplies water in most parts of Metro Manila has now breached the critical level when it hit 68.93 meters at 4pm yesterday, much lower than the ideal level of 80 meters. It was earlier reported that the dam had reached its lowest level in 12 years.
And it might go even lower, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), because of an increase in demand brought by the warmer weather, reported The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
PAGASA hydrologist Richard Orendain told Inquirer that the lack of significant rainfall since December also contributed to the dam’s low levels.
But those living in Metro Manila don’t even need an expert to tell them all this as they are experiencing the lack of water first hand.
Several areas in the metro have been experiencing water interruptions since late last week after Manila Water had to implement operational adjustments due to the drought. While the water provider announced the interruptions, some areas unexpectedly lost water supply as well because people started storing water.
Manila Water apologized for this but also urged people to conserve water and use it more responsibly.
Several neighborhoods in eight Metro Manila cities and the nearby province of Rizal were reportedly affected.
Manila Water said today that they are working on bringing the water supply back to normal in some areas by tomorrow, GMA News reported. However, it also said that there will be more scheduled water interruptions during the dry summer season.
PAGASA issued an advisory late last month warning that the Philippines will be experiencing a “full-blown El Niño.”
