Cebu’s Buhisan Dam all dried up

Ryan Macasero

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Cebu’s Buhisan Dam all dried up
The Metro Cebu Water District implements water rationing in 16 areas in Cebu City

MANILA, Philippines – The Buhisan Dam, one of two dams providing water for thousands of households in Metro Cebu, has already dried up, according to a spokesperson for the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD).

“The Buhisan Dam had a zero production due to the effect of the El Niño phenomenon,” Charmaine Rodriguez Kara said in a text message to Rappler on Friday, March 29.

While the Jaclupan Dam in Talisay City still has water, it is only supplying 19,000 cubic meters of water. According to the MCWD, that is far below the dam’s normal output of 33,000 cubic meters per day.

The entire province of Cebu is currently under a state of calamity due to the dry spell brought by El Niño.

El Niño is a meteorological phenomenon characterized by an extended dry season and warmer temperatures.

According to the MCWD spokeswoman, the following areas are undergoing rationing due to Buhisan’s water shortage:

  • Parts of Banawa
  • Horseshoe Drive
  • Capitol Site
  • Oprra
  • Ipil-Ipil
  • Kamputhaw
  • Clavano
  • Sambag 1
  • Sambag 2
  • F. Ramos
  • B. Rodriguez
  • Juana Osmeña Street
  • Pier Area
  • North Reclamation Area
  • MJ Cuenco Ave
  • M. Velez

“MCWD had already implemented water rationing in these areas beginning in the last week of February,” Kara said.

MCWD previously said they were also looking for alternative sources of water like deep wells to address its low supply.

The Cebu provincial government said on Monday, when it declared a state of emergency, that damage to agriculture and fisheries had reached an estimated P100 million.

Cebu was also hit by El Niño during the election cycle in 2016, causing at least P186 million in damage. – Rappler.com 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Nobuhiko Matsunaka

author

Ryan Macasero

Ryan covers social welfare for Rappler. He started at Rappler as social media producer in 2013, and later took on various roles for the company: editor for the #BalikBayan section, correspondent in Cebu, and general assignments reporter in the Visayas region. He graduated from California State University, East Bay, with a degree in international studies and a minor in political science. Outside of work, Ryan performs spoken word poetry and loves attending local music gigs. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmacasero or drop him leads for stories at ryan.macasero@rappler.com