Marcos orders gradual release of water in dams

STOPPED Commuters were stopped by rampaging floodwater that swamped a road in Barangay Batasan in Makilala, Cotabato, on Tuesday morning amid heavy rains dumped by Tropical Storm Kristine. —FREDERICK GOZON/CONTRIBUTOR

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the gradual release of water in dams to prevent overflow due to rains brought by tropical storm Kristine.

In a situation briefing on Wednesday morning, Marcos said overflowing dams might be inevitable because of the volume of rains brought by the storm, so it is better to start releasing water gradually to lessen its impact on communities.

“So let’s start thinking about the downstream areas that will be hit when we are forced to open some of the gates to release water,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“Maybe what we can do is do a measured response. Even if the water level is not yet high, let’s release some water to lower the water level in the dams without affecting the downstream communities,” he added.

Kristine maintained its strength as it moved west-northwestward over Quezon province. At least 26 areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2.

In its 8 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Kristine was last located 310 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora or 310 km east northeast of Infanta, Quezon.