The 41-year-old Magat Dam in Isabela, as shown in this file photo, is vital to the agriculture industry in Cagayan Valley as it supplies irrigation water to farmlands in the region. Magat Dam released water on Saturday morning (July 27, 2024), an irrigation official announced. The move aims to maintain the normal water level of the dam. Photo by Villamor Visaya Jr.
RAMON, ISABELA — Irrigation officials have started releasing water from the Magat Dam on Saturday morning to anticipate the bulk of heavy rains that would pour in the next few days due to the southwest monsoon (locally known as habagat) and the tropical depression that is predicted to enter the Philippine area of responsibility.
Engineer Edwin Viernes, chief of the National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS) Dam Reservoir Division-Flood Forecasting and Warning System, said the “minimal release” of 60-100 cubic meters per second, which began at 10 a.m. on July 27, .is a precautionary or preventive measure amid the forecast of heavy rains.
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The move aims to maintain the normal water level of the dam and avoid possible breach after Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) dumped rains over Luzon earlier this week.
Viernes cautioned villagers near rivers at the diversion dam along Magat Dam to avoid crossing or staying at rivers to avoid accidents.
The dam water level has been pegged at 173.81-meter above sea level (masl) on Saturday, still way below the 193-masl maximum level.