The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned Friday that water levels at Magat Dam may breach its lowest elevation of 149.10 meters, recorded in 1991, by the end of this month.

PAGASA hydrologist Danny Flores said the projection is based on the current rate of water depletion in the dam due to the summer season and aggravated by El Niño.

“Based on the rate of change of water elevation, particularly in Magat Dam, we may possibly reach or exceed its lowest recorded dam elevation by the end of the month," Flores said in an interview.

The lowest recorded elevation of the Magat Dam in Isabela was recorded at 149.10 meters on July 16, 1991, during which El Niño was also occuring.

"We are yet at the early days of March and we expect that there would be less rains in the coming days because the summer season has just started," Flores said.

As of Frida,y the water level at Magat Dam was at 155.39 meters or about six meters higher than the lowest elevation it had reached.

Earlier, Pagasa chief hydrometeorologist Dr. Susan Espinueva said water levels in the major dams are on a downward trend, decreasing continuously at a rate of 0.2 to 0.3 meters daily.

With this rate, Espinueva said dams could reach their crtitical levels next month.

Assuming that there would be no rains until the end of the month and at the said depreciation rate, the water level of Magat Dam will hit 147.59 to 150.19 meters.

Meanwhile, the current water elevations in other dams are still distant from the lowest recorded levels. However, these are currently below their normal levels.

Angat Dam in Bulacan, which is currently at 190.21 meters, recorded its lowest level of 158.17 meters on July 21, 1992.

At present, the water elevation in Pangasinan's San Roque Dam is at 276.32 meters. Its lowest recorded level was at 225.75 meters on May 10, 2007.

For Binga and Ambuklao dams in Benguet, the current water levels are at 560.40 meters and 740.28 meters, respectively.