Angat Dam's water level has climbed back to 200 meters after plunging to a historic low of 150.42 meters about a month ago, the state weather bureau reported on Monday, crediting recent inclement weather brought by the southwest monsoon.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration's (PAGASA) 8:00 a.m. dam bulletin, the reservoir stood at 200.20 meters above sea level, a gain of 2.20 meters over the past 24 hours.

Since hitting its record low of 150.42 meters on July 25, Angat Dam has risen by nearly 50 meters. The sustained increase in water elevation follows weeks of continuous inclement weather, driven primarily by the southwest monsoon enhanced by tropical cyclones. The 200-meter mark is a critical operating threshold for the reservoir, as water below this level typically forces cuts to the allocation used for Metro Manila's domestic supply and for irrigation of farmland in Bulacan and Pampanga.

Rosalie C. Pagulayan, PAGASA's assistant weather services chief, said sustained rainfall within the watershed enabled the dam to reach its 200-meter operating level.

"The soil in the watershed is already saturated with water, so the rainwater is now flowing directly into the dam," Ms. Pagulayan said in a message sent via Messenger on Monday, in Filipino.

Angat Dam's water level is being closely monitored because it supplies more than 90% of Metro Manila's water. The dam also feeds the Angat hydroelectric plant, which contributes to the Luzon power grid, so its recovery eases pressure on both water and energy authorities. Concerns also remain over a looming Super El Niño by the end of the year, which is expected to bring below-normal rainfall to parts of the country and strain the nation's water supply, making the reservoir's trajectory in the coming months a key indicator for Manila Water and Maynilad customers as well as farmers dependent on Angat's irrigation releases. — Edg Adrian A. Eva