Three dams on flood watch as severe storm Julian intensifies

Pagasa weather update. GRAPHICS BY INQUIRER

MANILA. Philippines — Out of the nine major dams in the country, Ambuklao-Binga-San Roque sub-basin and Magat sub-basin are under flood watch based on the state weather bureau’s latest basin hydrological forecast on Sunday.

As of 8 a.m. this morning, Ambuklao dam recorded a water level of 750.90 meters (m) while Binga dam’s water level rose to 575.44 m, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported.

A 0.30-meter gate opening was reported for both Ambuklao and Binga dams, with a total water discharge of 33 cubic meters per second (cms) from Ambuklao and 38 cms from Binga.

The increased water release from these dams is expected to impact Barangay Ambuklao in Bokod, Benguet, as well as Barangays Dalupirip and Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet.

READ: Severe storm Julian further intensifies, signal no. 3 up in Babuyan Islands

Meanwhile, Magat dam recorded a water level of 185.76 m this morning. One gate was set to open at 12 p.m. this afternoon to regulate the dam’s water level, in response to the continued effects of severe tropical storm Julian in parts of Isabela.

Pagasa continues to advise residents and local disaster risk reduction management councils in affected areas to take all necessary precautionary measures.