5 dams open gates amid heavy rains

Continuous rains from typhoon “Ramil” forced authorities to open five major dams across Luzon to release water on Sunday to stem rising reservoir levels, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The Angat Dam in Bulacan opened one gate at half a meter by 8 a.m. to discharge 89 cubic meters of water per second through its turbine and spillway.

The dam’s reservoir water level was measured at 209.08 meters, or just below its normal high-water mark of 210 meters.

At least five people, from a family of six, were killed when a tree fell on their house in Pitogo, Quezon (See related story).

In Norzagaray, Bulacan, the Ipo Dam also released water, opening one gate by 0.30 meters and discharging 60.50 cubic meters per second.

Farther north, Binga Dam in Benguet had one gate raised by 0.3 meter, releasing 52.69 cubic meters per second through both its turbine and spillway. Its reservoir level reached 572.26 meters, approaching the 575-meter spilling threshold.

In the Cagayan Valley region, Magat Dam — shared by Ifugao and Isabela provinces — opened one gate at one meter to let out 266.44 cubic meters per second. The dam’s water level stood at 185.62 meters, nearing its 193-meter normal high level.

PAGASA also reported rising water levels in La Mesa Dam in Quezon City, San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, and Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija, as heavy rainfall from “Ramil” continued to drench large parts of Luzon.

By 11 a.m. Sunday, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over portions of Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Pangasinan, Bulacan and Quezon City, among other provinces, warning of strong winds and heavy downpours.

The state weather bureau forecast rainfall totals between 100 and 200 millimeters in Isabela, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan and Batangas.

Lighter but still significant rainfall ranging from 50 to 100 millimeters was expected in Aklan, Antique, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Metro Manila, Bulacan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Abra and Apayao.

PAGASA advised residents living near riverbanks, low-lying areas, and mountain slopes to remain alert for possible flooding and landslides as the typhoon continued to enhance the southwest monsoon and move toward the West Philippine Sea.