MANILA, Philippines — Four major dams in Luzon – Ipo, Ambuklao, Binga and Magat – opened their floodgates to release water due to the rain brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” and Super Typhoon “Nando,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Tuesday.
Pagasa’s Hydrometeorology Division said one gate of Ipo Dam, located in Norzagaray, Bulacan had a normal high-water level (NHWL) of 101.10 meters (m).
As of 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Ipo’s reservoir water level (RWL) has reached 100.94m.
It said that Ambuklao and Binga dams, both located in Benguet province, have eight and six of their gates opened after registering near overflows of 957.72 centimeters (cms) and 1160.65cms respectively.
Ambuklao’s water level was at 751.24m, almost near its NHWL of 752m. Binga’s is also near its spilling or overflow level with its RWL at 573.94m against its normal level of 575m.
Pagasa hydrologists said three floodgates of Magat Dam, located at the boundary between the provinces of Ifugao and Isabela, was releasing water with an outflow of 1231.39cms.
With its NHWL at 190m, Magat’s RWL measured 184.41 m, Pagasa said.
Meanwhile, Angat Dam, also in Bulacan and the main source of water supply for Metro Manila and irrigation needs for its adjoining provinces, is “still far” from its spilling level, according to Pagasa.
The dam’s water level was at 205.13m on Tuesday. Its NHWL is 210m.
