Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

MANILA: The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Saturday told the public to begin conserving water and use it correctly amid the looming El Niño, a weather phenomenon characterised by below-normal rainfall that can lead to dry spells and drought.NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said at present, the water level in Angat Dam, which is the major source of water in Metro Manila, is at 196.5 metres or “within operating level.” The dam’s minimum operating level, he noted, is at 180 metres. State weather bureau Pagasa, during the same briefing, said their agency may issue an El Niño alert by May. This means that the chances of the phenomenon occurring is very high at around 70 per cent. This was why David said the public should implement conservation practices as early as now to mitigate the dry weather’s impact. Conserving water, he said, could help energy supply. Climate projections by Pagasa show that El Niño will begin by the third quarter of 2023 or between July and September, and will last until next year.