Cloud-seeding operations over the 56,000-hectare Angat Watershed will push through due to the continued decline in Angat Dam's water level, a source from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) said on Thursday.

“As recommended by Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration), we will immediately push through with the cloud-seeding,” said the source, who declined to be identified as he is not authorized to disclose the plan.

“We are preparing the fund for the operations. We already submitted the budgetary requirement to DA Secretary Proceso Alcala for his approval,” the source said.

He said about two to three million pesos is needed for the operations.

Based on the Pagasa data, Angat Dam's level as of 6 a.m. on Thursday was 157.62 meters, which is slightly higher than its level last Wednesday of 157.56 meters.

However, Angat Dam is still 23.36 meters short of its normal operating level.

Earlier, Pagasa was expected typhoon “Basyang” to contribute 100 millimeters of rainfall on the watershed, which would translate to additional two meters in Angat Dam’s water level.

Pagasa chief hydrometeorologist Dr. Susan Espinueva said rains have not contributed significant increase in Angat Dam’s level but the rate of decline was slightly slower with 14 centimeters at present from 35 centimeters before the storm.

Espinueva said it will be timely to conduct cloud seeding at this time because of the availability of seedable clouds.

Water Resources Management Division (WRMD) officer-in-charge Engr. Arnulfo Gesite of the BSWM noted that a similar cloud-seeding activity was conducted over the Angat watershed last March or April.

“But due to the dry season that prevailed during that time, the water level in Angat Dam continued to decline,” Gesite said.

Cloud-seeding is a form of weather modification whereby salt crystals are released into a cloud with the use of airplanes or helicopters to hasten precipitation over an area.