No expected water release from dams ahead of Mawar –PAGASA

There was no expected water release from the country’s dams ahead of the heavy rains from the incoming Super Typhoon Mawar, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

The National Power Corporation said the water level at the dams was still low, according to Bernadette Reyes’ “24 Oras” report on Friday.

However, PAGASA warned the public of possible flash floods.

“Sa Cagayan, sa Magat area, ang forcasted, based on rainfall lang, is a little 50 milimeters na parang magpapataas lang ng ilang meters. Hindi po siya magca-cause ng pago-open ng mga gates,” said Hydro Meteorological Division chief Engineer Roy Badilla.

(In Cagayan, in the Magat area, the forecast based on rainfall is only a little 50 millimeters, which will raise the dam waters only a few meters. It will not cause the gates to be opened.)

PAGASA said it was possible orange and red rainfall warnings would be raised in several areas starting Monday due to the effects of the southwest monsoon and Mawar.

However, heavy rains are expected in northern and extreme norther Luzon.

Mawar slightly intensified late Friday morning as it moved westward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said.

In an 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said Mawar had maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 260 kph, and central pressure of 905 hPa.

Mawar’s strong to typhoon-force winds extended outwards up to 550 kilometers from the center.

The super typhoon is forecast to reach its peak intensity within 24 hours, according to PAGASA. It is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday night or early Saturday morning. — Richa Noriega/DVM, GMA Integrated News