3 dams keep gates open, residents alerted

TWO SPILLWAY gates of the San Roque Dam continue to release water to the Agno River on Tuesday, amid heavy rains in northern and central Luzon. Water level at the San Roque reservoir at 10 a.m. Tuesday was 283.03 meters above sea level, more than 3 meters above its spilling level of 280 masl. The dam’s maximum capacity is 290 masl. PHOTO BY WILLIE LOMIBAO / CONTRIBUTOR

MANILA, Philippines – Residents near the dams of Ambuklao, Binga and San Roque were advised to be on alert for possible increase in the water level downstream as these dams opened their gates due to tropical storm “Igme”, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Monday.

Ambuklao dam in Benguet opened one gate, while Binga and San Roque dams also kept its two gates open. Binga is in Benguet while San Roque is in Pangasinan.

As of 6: 00 a.m., Ambuklao’s water level was at 750.98m, nearing its spilling level of 752.00m; Binga dam, with a spilling level of 575.00m, was at 574.73m; and San Roque dam, which has a spilling level of 280.00m, was at 281.33m.

Magat dam in Isabela, meanwhile, was at 190.39m. Its spilling level was 190.00m.

“Igme” has so far affected 79 families or 268 persons in Naguilian, Bacnotan and Burgos in Lau Union due to flashfloods, the NDRRMC said.

Ten roads were damaged in Ilocos region and Cordillera, seven of which in La Union, one in Narvacan-Sulvec Port in Ilocos Sur: Kabayan-Buguias-Abatan road in Benguet; and Abra-Kalinga road.

The NDRRMC earlier activated red alert status as “Igme” entered the Philippine territory.