The province of Dinagat Island was placed under a state of calamity amid the aggravating water shortage brought by prolonged dry conditions due to El Niño.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Dinagat Island Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. announced the declaration of the state of calamity of the entire province based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

The resolution declaring the state of calamity was approved on August 25.

In an advisory issued on Wednesday, the San Jose Water District said the status of the water sources "has reached a critical level or emergency status.

"The volume of water we can extract and pump is no longer sufficient to meet consumer demand. As a result, more frequent and prolonged water interruptions are likely, and in some areas, the water supply may not reach households at all," it stated.

The water district noted that the level of water from sources "dropped to less than 50 percent (which is) below (the) normal levels."

"We urge everyone to conserve water and use it only for essential needs. Please also prepare an adequate water reserve while this emergency situation regarding our water sources persists," the advisory added. Robina Asido/PHS