MANILA, Philippines —As Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) swept across the country, meteorologists reported on Monday opening a gate at both the Magat and Ipo Dams.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., during the situational briefing on the typhoon which he presided over, asked about the status of the dams and the nearby residents.
“I understand you may have to release water but how are we making sure that we are not flooding the downstream?” the Chief Executive quizzed.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Administrator Vicente Malano then shared the status and assured the President that the residents near the dams are safe.
“Bago po dumating ‘yung bagyong si Karding, nag-preemptive release ‘yung Magat,” Malano said, explaining that Magat’s water level was near the normal water high.
(Before Typhoon Karding approached, Magat had a preemptive release of water.)
READ: Magat Dam releases water ahead of rain from Severe Tropical Storm Karding
“One gate ‘yung kanyang bukas at one meter po ‘yung height ‘yung nire-release niyang tubig. Kasama na din po ‘yung ano — ‘yung Ipo Dam kasi malapit na rin po doon sa normal water level ‘yung kanyang tubig,” he added.
(It opened one gate with a one-meter height. The same thing with Ipo Dam because its water is also near the normal high water level.)
The gate that is open in Ipo Dam is half a meter high, based on Pagasa’s website.
The normal high water level of Magat Dam, located in Isabela province, is 190 meters. As of Monday, 6 a.m., its water level was at 186.76 meters.
Ipo Dam in Bulacan, on the other hand, had a 101.05-meter water level, slightly above its normal high water level of 101 meters.
Marcos told concerned agencies to monitor the dams and always consider the areas that will be affected by the dam’s release of water.
“Bantayin niyo na mabuti. We don’t want that incident to happen na sabay-sabay na nagbitaw hindi nag-warning sa mga affected areas na magbibitaw ng tubig kaya nagkaproblema,” the President said.
(Be on the lookout. We don’t want that incident to happen where dams simultaneously release water without giving warnings to affected areas, causing problems.)
“You’ll be very, very careful about that… The coordination required is going to be important,” he continued.