TUGUEGARAO CITY – Five spill gates of Magat Dam were opened Monday noontime, with the total opening at 9 meters, resulting to spillway discharge of 1,720.00 cubic meters per second (m3/s).
Two more spill gates will be opened until 5 p.m.
The dam’s reservoir elevation as of noon was 192.15 meter above sea level (MASL), almost near the 193 MASL normal water level.
Total discharge to the river as of posting time was 1,767.99 m3/s, the social media post of the National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System’s (NIA-MARIIS) Flood Forecasting and Warning System Dam Operation said.
NIA-MARIIS operates Magat Dam, located between Alfonso Lista in Ifugao province and Ramon, Isabela.
Carlos Ablan, Magat Dam flood operation manager, said opening of the dam’s spillway gates were increased in anticipation of heavy inflow due to the after-effects of Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi).
At least five gates were gradually opened with two meters each for a total discharge of 1,961 cubic meter per second as of 1 p.m.
Residents living near water tributaries over Northern Luzon are warned to prepare for more flooding after the release of excess water.
As of 1 p.m., the Buntun Bridge in the Tuguegarao City part already exceeded the 8-meter warning level after it rose to 9.6 meters.
The Tuguegarao City Command Center, in a social media post, said the Capatan Overflow Bridge is impassable as of 1 p.m.
Roads that are impassable include several portions of Pinacanauan Avenue such as the overflow crossing, Riverpark, Riverbank and Centro A; and Aguinaldo Extension, Macapagal Crossing, Gomez Extension and Gonzaga Street.
Mayor Maila Ting-Que, in a social media live post, urged residents to stay vigilant and take precautionary measures.
“Mas mabuting handa, kesa maging pabaya (It’s better to be prepared than to be negligent),” she said, assuring residents that more evacuation centers are being opened and prepositioned government vehicles are on standby.
Que suspended work in government offices effective noontime while work in private offices are left to the discretion of employers. (PNA)