Laguna de Bay water level hits critical high

The average water level of Laguna de Bay surpassed its critical high threshold, reaching 15.62 meters on Thursday afternoon due to continuous heavy rains from Tropical Storm Dante and Typhoon Emong.

Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) warned that this increase poses a heightened risk of flooding for lakeshore and low-lying communities, urging residents to prepare for potential evacuations and implement preventive measures to protect life and property.

According to LLDA, the current water level is higher than it has been since Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009 and during the 12 habagat season, making the situation particularly alarming as it reached critical levels early this year.

LLDA called on local government units near Laguna de Bay to activate contingency plans and ensure emergency resources are ready and accessible, noting that water levels could take months to return to normal even with reduced rainfall.

Fishermen in Laguna Lake expressed concerns about the challenging conditions affecting their livelihoods as bad weather has made fishing more difficult.