Luzon dams open floodgates amid Ompong onslaught; PAGASA lists affected areas

Floodgates of the different dams in Luzon have been opened to release excess water brought by Typhoon Ompong.

The Ambuklao Dam is releasing waters through five gates, having a total opening of 2.5 meters, hydrologist Richard Orendain said in an 11 a.m. PAGASA press briefing.

The Binga Dam has six gates open with 3.5 meters total opening, and its waters are to be caught by the San Roque Dam.

The San Roque Dam, however, still needs 151 mm of rainfall to reach the normal high water level, and had an elevation 274.82 meters.

The Magat Dam opened three of its gates at 3 a.m., but two of them were later closed leaving only one open as of 11 a.m., with two meters total opening. Its release has no further effects along the Magat River.

The Ipo Dam's gate is now opened by half a meter. Although its opening is very minimal, the Brgy. Matictic in Norzagaray, Bulacan will still be affected.

PAGASA listed the areas likely to be affected by the dams' water release:

Binga-Ambuklao:

• Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet
• Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet

Magat Dam (Isabela):

• Ramon
• San Mateo
• Aurora
• Cabatuan
• Luna
• Reina Mercedes
• Burgos
• Naguilian
• Gamu

San Roque:

• San Manuel
• San Nicolas
• Tayug
• Sta. Maria
• Asingan
• Villasis
• Alcala
• Bautista
• Rosales
• Bayambang

— MDM, GMA News