INQUIRER file photo (Edwin Bacasmas)
MANILA, Philippines — Residents of low-lying areas near Angat River are being enjoined to be on alert and ready to evacuate as the Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan is scheduled to release water Sunday afternoon to minimize the effects of Super Typhoon Rolly, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
As of 8 a.m., Pagasa said the dam’s water level is at 100.58 meters and is expected to rise further due to super typhoon – induced rains.
“Ipo Dam Management will conduct a spilling operation at 4 p.m. with approximate discharge of 47 cubic meters per second (cms),” Pagasa said in a statement.
Residents near the banks of Angat River in Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel and Hagonoy are advised to take precautionary measures.
Bulacan as of Sunday morning is under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 as the super typhoon made its second landfall in Tiwi, Albay.
Rolly is packing maximum sustained winds of 225 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 310 kph while moving west southwest at 25 kph.
READ: Pagasa hydrologist sees possible La Mesa Dam overflow due to Rolly