4 Luzon dams continue water release after ‘Rolly’ onslaught

FILE: Angat Dam, in Norzagaray, Bulacan, Philippines (Photo By Nikbert16/Wikimedia Commons., CC BY 3.0)

MANILA – The Ambuklao, Binga, Magat, and Ipo dams in Luzon continue to release water in the aftermath of Typhoon Rolly which battered parts of Luzon over the weekend.

Spilling operations in these dams are in progress as of 6 a.m. Monday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hydrologist Max Peralta.

“The operations aim to ensure water elevation there won’t endanger the dams,” he said in an interview.

Peralta added that the move is necessary as looming Tropical Storm Siony might further raise the dams’ already high water level.

In its latest bulletin, the weather bureau said “Siony” may intensify into a severe tropical storm before making landfall in the extreme Northern Luzon area later this week.

According to PAGASA, the 6 a.m. water level in Ambuklao, Binga, Magat, and Ipo dams on Monday are 0.76 meters, 1.16 meters, 4.42 meters, and 0.38 meters below their respective spilling or normal high levels.

Peralta observed that these dams then are no longer spilling as much water.

“That may be because runoff from ‘Rolly’ is likely easing already,” he said.

He added that the locations of these dams may not have received much rain after “Rolly” left, he continued.

Ambuklao and Magat released on Monday morning less water compared to 24 hours earlier, he noted.

He said only one gate of Binga was open compared to the two gates on Sunday.

“Ipo’s discharge was minimal,” he added.

The water in Magat’s big drainage area flows into the Ipo dam so it fills up easily and must spill accordingly, he added.