Flood alert: Ambuklao, Binga Dams open spillway gates

This file photo, taken August 15, 2018, shows the Ambuklao Dam with open floodgates. Ambuklao Dam is located in Bokod, Benguet, and releases water to ease pressure on its reservoir due to the prolonged rains. | PHOTO: Kimberlie Quitasol

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau urged residents in three barangays in Benguet to prepare for floods following an announcement that the Ambuklao and Binga dams are set to release water on Friday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ambuklao Dam and Binga Dam would be opening three spillway gates as it predicted that five to 20 millimeters of rain might fall within the dams’ vicinity in the next 24 hours.

Residents of Barangays Ambuklao and Dalupirip in Bokod town and Barangay Tinongdan in Itogon town were asked “to take appropriate actions.”

Ambuklao Dam is in Bokod, while Binga Dam is in Itogon, both in Benguet province.

READ: Luzon dam levels up, thanks to ‘Egay’ rains

According to Pagasa, the water level in Ambuklao Dam and Binga Dam were at 751.05 meters and 571.10 meters, respectively, as of 8 a.m., August 4 — which were only a few meters below the two dams’ normal water levels.

Ambuklao and Binga were the second and third dams to conduct spilling operations after days of moderate to downpour due to the typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon, named habagat in the Philippines, over Luzon.

On Thursday, Pagasa warned Bulacan residents near the Angat River to brace for floods as the Ipo Dam had released water.

READ: Pagasa warns residents near Angat River, Ipo Dam: Brace for floods

Ambuklao and Binga dams’ primary water source is the Agno River Basin along western Luzon. Ambuklao and Binga dams also serve as hydroelectric plants where the Luzon Grid sources power.

READ: Pagasa: Southwest monsoon’s effects on PH to weaken if typhoon off PAR dissipates

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