CABANATUAN CITY – Torrential rains brought by Typhoon Egay has contributed 2.5 meters, raising the water level of Pantabangan Dam to 185.35 meters above sea level as of 7:45 a.m. Friday, July 28.
The zoned earth-filled Pantabangan Dam is the main source of irrigation water for rice fields of over 140, 000 hectares in Nueva Ecija and some parts of adjoining Central Luzon provinces.
Engr. Rosalinda Bote, department manager of the National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-UPRIIS), said the dam was at 183 masl before Egay.
This is far cry for the dam’s operation rule curve of 208 meters and spilling level of 221 meters.
The agency hopes that the dam can be at least 210 meters by Nov. 30 to be able to fully serve its service area during the dry crop season.
“Kahit umabot pa ng more than 210 so much the better,” Bote said.
Amid the threats of El Nino, which the government’s weather bureau said will result to below-normal rains, the NIA-UPRIIS has been coordinating with farmers for alternative measures.
“Minimum of 210 meters. Pero kung di aabutin ay meron hindi masasama sa program ng Dry Crop 2024, yun ini- encourage namin mag-diversify at corn,” she said. –
