San Roque Dam’s water already below normal level
IRRIGATION OF FARMLANDS THREATENED
THE water level at the San Roque Dam in San Manuel town is slowly but steadily dropping and this could pose serious problems to farmers once El Niño sets in.
As of Thursday, March 30, 6 a.m. logged 242.29 meters above sea level (masl), already 37.71 short of the dam’s 280 masl normal high-water level.
Recent records from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reveal that the dam ‘s level drops two-digit decimal daily, continuously draining the water reservoir.
Gener Quitlong of the Agno River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center said other dams in the country are being closely monitored
“Pati yung Magat at Ambuklao Dam, ibang mga dams din, nasa below normal high water level sila”, said Quitlong.
The situation could worsen when El Niño starts on the 3rd quarter of the year, July.
However, Quitlong said the public should not worry as while the water level continues to recede, it is still ways above the critical level and cloud seeding operations are being done by the Philippine Air Force, along with PAGASA.
Cloud seeding refers to the action of weather modification by dispersing substances which would incite precipitation.
Through this method, cumulonimbus clouds will bring forth rains, which would then fill the dams.
However, while dams may have a chance of recouping lost water, a worst case scenario may occur if the dam shuts down, depriving farmers of irrigation.
The San Roque Dam provides water to around 32,000 hectares of farmlands, distributed in 14 towns and cities of Pangasinan.
It could be recalled that on July 2021, the San Roque Dam ceased producing power, and also cut irrigation to save water. (Ahikam Pasion)
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