Four Luzon dams open gates as reservoir levels rise

Four major dams in Luzon — Ambuklao, Binga, Magat, and Ipo — have opened gates as of Monday morning to release excess water following the recent heavy rainfall, based on the latest monitoring report from PAGASA. 

Three gates of Ambuklao Dam were opened, discharging approximately 271.05 cubic meters per second (cms) of water. The dam’s water level rose slightly to 751.63 meters, still below its normal high water level (NHWL) of 752.00 meters.

Downstream at Binga Dam, four gates were open at a total height of 2.0 meters, with an estimated discharge of 354.68 cms. The dam’s current water level stands at 574.55 meters, just 0.45 meters below its NHWL of 575.00 meters.

Meanwhile, Magat Dam had one gate open at 2.0 meters, releasing about 611.11 cms despite a slight drop in its reservoir level to 185.13 meters from 185.84 meters the day before. 

Ipo Dam also released water through one gate opened at 0.30 meters, discharging approximately 46.10 cms. 

As of this bulletin, Angat, La Mesa, Pantabangan, San Roque, Caliraya, and other dams have not reported any gate openings despite slight increases in their water levels.

Authorities remind residents living near downstream river systems to stay alert and heed local advisories as precautionary releases may cause river level rises. 

PAGASA and dam operators are said to be monitoring reservoir conditions and will provide further updates as needed. — Sherilyn Untalan/RSJ, GMA Integrated News