Maria Virginia Sy

Angat Dam water levels fail to recover amid below-normal rainfall due to El Nino, Dumagats appeal for help

Article (news)

Barren slopes and dead trees normally submerged below the tree line, which marks the reservoir's normal capacity, become visible as water levels continue to dip in this photo taken on Jul 23, the water level dropped to 151.45 masl.

The water  level in Angat Dam hit a record low of 150.60 masl on Sat, Jul 25, 2026.  This drop is nearly 30 meters below the 180 masl minimum operating  level and over 6 meters below the lowest level recorded during the 2010  El Niño.

Parts of the confluence of the Matulid and Maputi Rivers inside the Angat Reservoir dried up as water levels in Angat Dam dropped to 151.45 meters above sea level (masl) on Jul 23, two days before reaching a historic low of 150.60 masl on Saturday, Jul 25, 2026.

Residents go against the flow as they navigate a very shallow part of the riverbed after water levels in Angat Dam dropped to 151.45 meters above sea level  (masl) on Jul 23, two days before reaching a historic low of 150.60 masl  on Sat, Jul 25, 2026.

While other parts of the country experience heavy flooding, residents around the Angat Reservoir—most of whom belong to the indigenous Dumagat group—express concern on how this year’s El Niño has severely reduced the reservoir's water level.

Barren slopes and dead trees normally submerged below the tree line, which marks the reservoir's normal capacity, become visible as water levels continue to dip in this photo taken on Jul 23, the water level dropped to 151.45 masl.
 
 The level hit its lowest record at 150.60 masl on Saturday, Jul 25, 2026, nearly 10 meters below its critical level of 160 masl. This drop is nearly 30 meters below the 180 masl minimum operating level and over 6 meters below the lowest level recorded during the 2010 El Niño.

According to residents, there are times when it rains, but it then takes another three days for the next downpour. In June 2026, PAGASA recorded below-normal rainfall, which translated to a 20 to 60 percent reduction in rainfall across most parts of the country.

Metro Manila consumers are urged to conserve water as levels dip further due to the threat of El Niño. According to the weather bureau, PAGASA, the southwest monsoon could allow water levels to recover this July.  Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News

ABS-CBN News

<div>[[PHOTO ALBUM]]<br/><br/>The replenishment of the water level at the Angat reservoir was expected in mid-July, as the southwest monsoon was forecast to enhance rainfall. </div><p>However, this year proved different as a strong El Niño looms in the Pacific. </p><p>State weather bureau PAGASA forecasts the phenomenon to intensify during the third quarter of the year.</p><p>While other parts of the country experience heavy flooding, residents around the Angat Reservoir, mostly Dumagats, express concern on how the looming El Niño has severely reduced the reservoir&#x27;s water level, which hit a record low of 150.60 meters above sea level (masl) on Saturday, July 25, 2026.</p><p><em>“Halos grabe po ang pagbaba dahil wala pong ulan dito sa amin. Sabi ng iba, may El Niño nga daw. Kaya po siguro grumabe ang pagbaba ng tubig,” </em>said Mario Villarama, a Dumagat elder residing in the watershed. </p><p>According to residents, there are times when it rains, but it then takes another three days for the next downpour. </p><p>In June 2026, PAGASA recorded below-normal rainfall, which translated to a 20 to 60 percent reduction in rainfall across most parts of the country.</p><p><em>“Kahit may bagyo-bagyo na naririnig naming, nababalitaan namin sa radyo at sa cellphone na may bagyo raw, ay dito naman sa amin, hindi kami inaabot ng bagyo,”</em> Villarama added, expressing how deeply the residents yearn for rain to save them from their woes. </p><p><em>‘Natigil na ang hanapbuhay namin dahil maliit na ang tubig at malabo pa.’  </em>The low water level meant fewer fish to catch and extra effort to reach other parts of the reservoir. </p><p>Supply runs became much more difficult, requiring residents to trek for hours along silted riverbeds or the steep slopes of the reservoir that are typically submerged when water is at its normal level.</p><p>Dependent on fishing as their primary livelihood in the reservoir, residents are left with little choice. </p><p>The Dumagats, who hold ancestral domain claims in the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve, appeal for help as the dry spell impacts them severely. </p><p>“<em>Kamo at ito naman ay pinapakinabangan ng nakakarami, sana naman kami ay palitan para pangkain ng aming mga anak. Kami ay humihingi ng tulong,”<strong></strong></em> Villarama added. </p><p>The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has announced a reduction in water allocation to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)—which oversees and regulates water concessionaires—from 48 cms to 46 cms as the water level remains at its lowest point.</p><div><br/></div><p>RELATED STORIES</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/specials/mind-the-tap">‘Mind the Tap:  Water Security in a Thirsty Metropolis’</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/12/praying-for-rain-dumagats-lament-changing-climate-as-angat-dam-hits-historic-low-1054" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Praying for rain: Dumagats lament changing climate as Angat Dam hits historic low</a></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAene2eZ9B0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Katutubong Dumagat, mangingisda nagpayahag ng pangamba sa pagbaba ng tubig sa Angat Dam</a></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E80onisGy80?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>RELATED STORIES</p><p>‘Mind the Tap:  Water Security in a Thirsty Metropolis’</p><p>https://www.abs-cbn.com/specials/mind-the-tap</p><p>Praying for rain: Dumagats lament changing climate as Angat Dam hits historic low</p><p>https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/12/praying-for-rain-dumagats-lament-changing-climate-as-angat-dam-hits-historic-low-1054</p><p>Katutubong Dumagat, mangingisda nagpayahag ng pangamba sa pagbaba ng tubig sa Angat Dam</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nAene2eZ9B0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>While other parts of the country experience heavy flooding, residents around the Angat Reservoir, mostly Dumagats, express concern on how this year’s looming El Niño has severely reduced the reservoir's water level.</p>

While other parts of the country experience heavy flooding, residents around the Angat Reservoir, mostly Dumagats, express concern on how this year’s looming El Niño has severely reduced the reservoir's water level.

Angat Dam water level fails to recover; Dumagats appeal for help

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Angat Dam water level fails to recover; Dumagats appeal for help

Gigie Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 25, 2026 04:44 PM PHT

|

Updated July 25, 2026 05:39 PM PHT

Read More:

El Niño

Angat Dam

Angat Watershed Forest Reserve

Dumagat

water conservation

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