A part of the ruins between the Pantabangan dam in Nueva Ecija province, Philippines, emerged after months of “almost no rain” – Photo: AFP/Jam Sta Rosa
The relic site is located in Pantabangan town, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines. It was formerly a residential area but was submerged underwater after authorities built a dam in the 1970s.
In recent months, severe drought in the area has caused the water in the above dam reservoir to drop sharply, exposing the relic site. According to data from the national weather forecasting agency, the reservoir water level has dropped nearly 50 meters compared to the normal recorded water level of 221 meters.
This event has attracted the attention and curiosity of many domestic and foreign tourists, despite extreme hot weather conditions. Those who are passionate about exploring ancient ruins can pay about 300 pesos (5 USD) to local fishermen to take a boat out to the middle of the lake for a close-up view.
Normally March, April and May are the hottest and driest months in the Philippines. However, this year’s weather conditions have become more severe due to the El Nino phenomenon. About half of the provinces of this Southeast Asian country, including Nueva Ecija province, have fallen into drought.
These weather conditions also make it difficult for agricultural activities and hydroelectric power generation. Two hydroelectric plants near the Pantabangan dam have had to temporarily stop operating since early April, about 1 month earlier than the drought season in previous years.
Many rice farmers in the area have also had to convert to growing vegetables and crops that do not require much watering.
