3 dams in Luzon continue to release water; more expected to open gates

MANILA, November 14 ------ More dams in Luzon are expected to release water due to anticipated heavy rains from Typhoon Ofel and the incoming storm Pepito. In a press briefing at the Office of Civil Defense in Camp Aguinaldo, Richard Orendain from the PAGASA Hydro-Meteorology Division said that the Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan is expected to reach its normal high level of 210 meters when Typhoon Pepito brings heavy rain, which means there is a high possibility it will also release water. 

The water from the Angat Dam will then flow into the Ipo Dam, also located in Norzagaray, Bulacan. The La Mesa Dam in Quezon City is already at a critical level. According to Orendain, the water level at La Mesa Dam has now reached 79.55 meters, and once it reaches the normal high level of 80.15 meters, it will overflow. The overflowing water from La Mesa Dam will eventually flow into the Tullahan River. “Kapag umabot na sa alert level magpapatunog po tayo ng siren and then alarm level, patunog ulit, pagdating ng critical papatunugin po ulit natin yung siren," said Orendain. 

He said that if the water level on the Tullahan reaches critical level, the La Mesa Dam would also be near overflowing. "Ibig sabihin, forced evacuation na 'yung mga nakatira malapit sa Tullahan River," said Orendain. The San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan may also open its gates and release water again. The San Roque Dam stopped releasing water yesterday, but due to the new incoming storms, it may start releasing water again. 

Meanwhile, the Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela continues to release water. Currently, two gates at Magat Dam are open, releasing 1,050 cubic meters per second of water. This may affect the municipalities of Ramon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Burgos, Naguillian, and Gamu in Isabela, while in Ifugao, it may affect the town of Alfonso Lista. Three gates of the Binga Dam in Itogon, Benguet remain open and continue to release water. 

This may affect the barangays of Dalupirip and Tinongdan in Itogon. Two gates of the Ambuklao Dam are still open, and the release of water may affect Barangay Ambuklao in the town of Bokod. Residents in these areas are being advised to prepare for possible flooding. 

Source: news.abs-cbn.com