Philippine authorities have officially slashed raw water allocations for Metro Manila by 15 percent as the Angat Dam—the capital’s primary source—drops below its critical operating level of 180 meters. With the dam’s water levels continuing to recede despite occasional rainfall, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) is taking preemptive measures to manage the dwindling supply. This move is a direct response to the intensifying heat and the looming threat of an El Niño-induced drought, which is expected to exacerbate water scarcity across the region in the coming weeks. Residents and businesses should brace for potential service interruptions and reduced water pressure as distributors scramble to adjust.

In an effort to mitigate the crisis, the NWRB is exploring cloud-seeding operations over the Angat Watershed and preparing to activate deep-well pumps and alternative filtration stations. However, the anxiety is palpable among small business owners, such as laundry and water-refilling shop operators, who fear that service cuts will lead to revenue losses and increased operational costs. Meanwhile, households are already beginning to hoard water, reflecting the growing uncertainty and urgency as the nation faces the dual challenge of record-breaking temperatures and a volatile climate pattern.