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San Roque Dam in Pangasinan (INQUIRER filem photo / WILLIE LOMIBAO)
CALASIAO, Pangasinan—San Roque Dam began releasing water from its reservoir at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 23) as announced by the National Power Corporation (NPC).
The dam opened one gate by 0.5 meters, with an estimated discharge of 53 cubic meters per second.
This release aims to lower the reservoir’s elevation in anticipation of significant inflow from Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).
The notice has been sent to the provincial government of Pangasinan and local governments in the municipalities of San Manuel, San Nicolas, Asingan, Tayug, Sta. Maria, Rosales, Villasis, Sto. Tomas, Alcala, Bautista, and Bayambang.
These towns are located along the Agno River, into which the San Roque Dam discharges water.
As of 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the San Roque Dam’s elevation stood at 276.27 meters above sea level (masl), which is just under a meter below the spilling level of 280 masl.
San Roque Dam receives water from the Ambuklao and Binga Dams in the Cordilleras.
Currently, only Binga Dam has opened one gate by 0.5 meters.
Ambuklao Dam has reached an elevation of 748 masl, or 0.31 meters below its spilling level of 752 meters.
Meanwhile, Binga Dam is at 574.20 meters, which is 1.20 meters below its spilling level of 575 meters.
GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan