Three dams in Luzon had opened their gates to release excess water on Sunday due to heavy downpour of the southwest monsoon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported.
PAGASA said Ipo Dam in Bulacan opened one of its gates at 8:00 a.m. as water rose to 100.5 meters near its spilling level.
It discharged a total of 112.5 cubic meters per second (cms) of water with PAGASA alerting residents in Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Calumpit, Paombong and Hagonoy for possible floods.
Ambuklao Dam in Benguet opened one gate also at 8:00 a.m. and discharged 78.74 cms of water affecting the villages of Ambuklao and Bokod.
Binga Dam, also in Benguet, meanwhile opened two gates and released a total of 161.57 cms of water. PAGASA issued similar warnings to residents in Dalupirip and Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet on possible environmental hazards associated with the dam opening.
PAGASA likewise warned communities residing near La Mesa Dam as it reached 79.88 meters of water on Sunday morning. The weather bureau said it might overflow amid light to moderate rains forecast today once it reaches its spilling level of 80.15 meters.
“Waters from La Mesa Dam [are] expected to affect the low-lying areas along the Tullahan River from Quezon City (Fairview, Forest Hills Subd., Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria, and San Bartolome); Valenzuela (North Expressway, La Huerta Subd.,) and Malabon,” PAGASA said in its situation report.
