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Water levels at Angat Dam have dropped to an all-time historical low. According to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), the water level has reached 150.42 meters on July 25. This is the lowest level registered since the dam began operating in 1967. This breaks the previous record low of 157.55 meters recorded in 2010.
Due to light rainfall in recent days, the water level has increased slightly to 150.85 meters on July 29.
MWSS Spokesperson Engineer Patrick Dizon admitted that the current situation is alarming, as reservoir water levels should normally begin rising around this time based on historical trends.
“From January to July pababa siya, then July to December, that's the time na magre-refill yung ating reservoir,” he said
[“Water levels drop from January to July, and then from July to December, the reservoir refills.”]
However, that expected refilling trend may not materialize this year. PAGASA Senior Weather Specialist and Hydrologist Oyie Pagulayan explained that recent rains have not been sufficient to significantly impact the Angat watershed.
“Umuulan pero hindi po siya ganon ka-significant or kataas yung mga pag-ulan to really have a significant na impact doon sa watershed. Maaaring ano po talagang patuloy pa rin yung pagbaba in spite of this,” she said
For now, most of the rainfall is merely being absorbed to replenish soil moisture. PAGASA added that high temperatures continue to drive up water consumption. Water levels dropped from roughly 159.90 meters at the start of July to 150.85 meters, representing a nine-meter drop in less than a month.
Pagulayan noted that during the previous record low in 2010, the country was similarly experiencing a meteorological drought brought on by El Niño.
Despite Angat Dam supplying approximately 90% of Metro Manila’s water needs, the MWSS clarified that they cannot declare a water crisis or water shortage.
“Kung mapapansin, 150 meters na ngayon pero wala pa ring mga interruption na nangyayari sa ating system kasi nga na-augment natin 'yung ating pangangailangan since 2019. Kaya ang ginagawa naming mitigating measures is may iba pang pinagkukuhanan aside from the Angat Dam. Kaya sa ngayon, at the level of 150.85 meters ay hindi natin nararamdaman yung epekto nitong pagbaba ng ating reservoir,” he explained
[“If you notice, we are at 150 meters now, but there are still no water interruptions in our system because we have augmented our supply capacity since 2019. Our mitigating measures involve getting water from sources other than Angat Dam. That is why, even at 150.85 meters, consumers are not feeling the impact of the reservoir’s decline.”]
MWSS also admitted that because Angat’s water level dipped below the 180-meter mark, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is no longer receiving its water allocation to prioritize the domestic water supply.
Meanwhile, PAGASA hopes that the upcoming tropical cyclones may help replenish the reservoir.
“We are expecting 2 to 4 na tropical cyclones for the month of August. So ito po ay talagang historically, climatologically speaking, nandito po talaga yung talagang parang bagyuhan season na marami talagang bagyo na papasok. So we are hoping na ito po ay makapagbigay din ng mga pag-ulan within the watershed,” she explained
[“We are expecting 2 to 4 tropical cyclones for the month of August. Historically and climatologically speaking, this is peak typhoon season when many storms enter and occur. So we are hoping that these will bring rainfall directly over the watershed.”]
However, PAGASA emphasized that storm frequency alone isn’t enough. They explained that a single heavy rainfall event must go directly over the watershed to increase the reservoir levels.
Based on the rule curve elevation, the water level of the dam must reach 180.12 meters to fulfill its functions in irrigation, potable water supply, and power generation.
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Date posted: July 30, 2026 7:11 PM