Laguna de Bay water level continues downward slide below danger mark

LUCENA CITY — Laguna de Bay's water level continued its downward trajectory, falling to 11.99 meters as of Wednesday morning, according to the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). The measurement represents a drop from 12.03 meters recorded the previous day, the agency said in an operational advisory. The persistent decline has kept the lake's level beneath the critical-high threshold, raising concerns about water availability across the heavily populated region.

The LLDA monitors Laguna de Bay's water elevation as a key indicator of the lake's health and capacity to serve multiple purposes, including water supply, irrigation, and fisheries for communities in Calabarzon and Metro Manila. Sustained declines can impact these vital services and have broader environmental implications for the watershed.

The agency did not immediately elaborate on the cause of the continued water level reduction or provide projections for when the trend might reverse. Laguna de Bay's water levels typically fluctuate seasonally, influenced by rainfall patterns, evaporation rates, and water releases for irrigation and other uses across the catchment area.