NIA urges farmers to gear up for El Niño
ADVERSE effects of El Niño have begun to affect Pangasinan beginning January.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) urges all farmers in Calasiao, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Rosales, Santa Barbara, and Santo Tomas towns to expect and prepare for prolonged water shortages because of the El Niño phenomenon.
Despite being near river tributaries like Calasiao and Mangaldan, the farmers have started to have problems in water supply as the canals and waterways connecting the river to the farmlands have started to dry up.
Engr. John Molano, NIA Division Manager, said the six towns will experience severe effects of water shortage because the level of water in rivers and the San Roque Dam have started to recede.
As of January 24, the water of the San Roque Dam is only at 253.86 meters above sea level (masl). Its normal high water level is at 280 masl.
As the San Roque Dam is primarily a power plant, it could not afford to lose more water.
As the water level goes down, NIA will begin to regulate its irrigation system, which could lead to an intermittent water supply to farmlands.
The NIA will initiate a scheduled release of water if water level drops further.
Meanwhile, Molano said NIA has assured farmers of help by providing water pumps for irrigation. (Ahikam Pasion)
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