Magat Dam to release water in anticipation of heavy rains

Magat Dam (Photo from the Facebook page of NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System)

MANILA, Philippines – Water will be released from Magat Dam in Isabela on Sunday in anticipation of heavy rains triggered by the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and a low pressure area (LPA).

In a statement on Saturday, the National Irrigation Administration — Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MRIIS) announced that it would discharge water from the dam at 2:00 p.m. to keep the water level safe.

“Two hundred cubic meters of water per second will be released due to the LPA and the southwest monsoon, but this amount may increase depending on the intensity of rains at the Magat Watershed,” the statement said in Filipino.

NIA-MRIIS advised the public to avoid passing through or staying near the dam to avoid any accidents from happening should its water level rise.

As of 6 p.m. on Saturday, the reservoir water level at the Magat Dam was 188.39 meters – a slight dip from an elevation of 188.40 meters recorded on Friday and nearly 5 meters below its 193-meter spilling level, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa),

Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina, in a late afternoon public forecast, said rains would persist in most of western Luzon on Sunday.

“Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon, including the Bicol Region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera, will have fairer weather, but isolated rain showers and thunderstorms may still be experienced throughout the day,” he said in Filipino.

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