Angat Dam water level inches up amid strong El Niño

Receding waters of Angat Dam were seen on June 24, 2026, as its level continues to drop due to lack of rainfall.

STAR / Michael Varcas

MANILA, Philippines — Angat Dam's water level rose slightly on Sunday, October 18, even as strong to very strong El Niño conditions persist in the tropical Pacific.

PAGASA recorded Angat Dam at 209.51 meters as of 8 a.m., up four centimeters from 209.47 meters on Saturday. The level remains just 0.49 meters below its normal high water level of 210 meters.

Angat Dam in Bulacan is the main source of water for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System service area, supplying around 90% of its water requirements. Its operating zone extends down to 180 meters, below which the reservoir enters the drought zone.

PAGASA also recorded the following reservoir levels Sunday:

• Ambuklao Dam: 751.06 meters
• Binga Dam: 573.44 meters
• Caliraya Dam: 286.30 meters
• Ipo Dam: 100.77 meters
• La Mesa Dam: 79.44 meters
• Magat Dam: 191.88 meters
• Pantabangan Dam: 209.75 meters
• San Roque Dam: 283.54 meters

PAGASA said a strong to very strong El Niño is currently present in the tropical Pacific and is expected to continue through the first half of 2027, possibly peaking before the end of 2026.

El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall, dry spells and drought, but PAGASA stressed that rain may still occur due to tropical cyclones and other weather systems.

For Sunday, the weather bureau forecast scattered rains and thunderstorms over parts of the country due to the easterlies, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms possible elsewhere.