Manila, Oct. 19 -- The government must look beyond dam levels and strengthen groundwater monitoring as it prepares for the impact of the very strong El Nino, University of the Philippines (UP) Resilience Institute executive director Mahar Lagmay said Friday.

In a Bagong Pilipinas interview, Lagmay warned that excessive groundwater pumping can leave communities vulnerable to both water shortages and flooding as ground slowly sinks.

He emphasized the need for better programs guided by science and data. Lagmay also underscored the need to start conserving water now to prepare for the very strong El Nino, which could reduce rainfall in early 2027, even as Angat and La Mesa dams in Central Luzon remain at high levels.

He said that despite ...