‘Ambo’ rains slightly raise water level of Bulacan dams

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – The water level in Angat, Ipo, and Bustos dams in the province slightly increased due to rains dumped by Typhoon “Ambo,” according to a report by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Angat Dam, the main source of potable water supply of Metro Manila residents was monitored on Saturday at 190.28 meters, 2.76 meters above Friday’s level of 187.52 meters.

The rains sent the water elevation of Angat Dam to 10.28 meters above its minimum operating level of 180 meters and 21.72 meters below its high normal water level of 212 meters.

Water elevation at the Ipo and Bustos dams were monitored Saturday morning at 100.66 meters and 15.06 meters, respectively, a bit higher compared to Friday’s 100.06 meters and 14.80 meters, respectively.

Felix Robles, chief of the water control and coordinating unit of Bustos Dam, said repair works at Bustos Dam’s Rubber Gate 5 was not completed on its target date of May 15.

“Air leaks were detected on its air bladder when it was subjected for test operation,” Robles said.

The engineering unit, he said is rushing the completion of the repair works since the irrigation deliveries to the south zone service areas of the National Irrigation Administration is scheduled to start on June 1.

Crispulo Bautista, regional director of the Department of Agriculture in Central Luzon, said the light to moderate rains brought by “Ambo” was a welcome development for the region’s farmers.