The state weather bureau warned residents in low-lying areas near Ipo, Ambuklao, Binga, and Magat dams on possible flooding as excess waters continued to be released from these reservoirs triggered by heavy rainfall from Typhoon "Ulysses."
Based on the Flood Forecasting and Warning Section of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), spillway gates of the four dams were opened on Friday to discharge more water from the watersheds after breaching spilling levels.
Two gates in Bulacan's Ipo Dam were opened on Friday at 1.50 meters with a total current discharge of 227 cubic meters per second (cms).
The water level of Ipo Dam decreased to 100.68 meters from 101.20 meters recorded on Thursday. Its spilling level is 101 meters.
According to PAGASA, areas that are likely to be affected by Ipo Dam’s release of water are the municipalities of Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Pulilan, and Plaridel.
Ambuklao Dam in Benguet also had eight gates opened at 4.0 meters with a current outflow of 464 cms. Its water level slightly rose to 751.25 from the previous 751.08 meters.
Another dam in Benguet, the Binga Dam, also opened six gates at 3.50 meters and a total current discharge of 463 cms. Binga’s water level was at 572.02 as of Friday, a bit lower than the 572.05 on Thursday.
PAGASA said areas likely to be affected by the opening of these gates are Barangays Dalupirip and Tinongdan in Itogon town in Benguet.
Meanwhile, Magat Dam in Isabela province has also released water at 5,073 cms as seven gates have been opened 24 meters.
In PAGASA's data, the water level in Magat Dam still rose to 192.70, at least 0.30 meters short of its normal high water level of 193 meters.
With this, residents from the towns of Ramon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Burgos, Naguilian, and Gamu were advised on possible flooding.
The state weather bureau warned those living in areas that are expected to be affected by the opening of floodgates, especially those near river channels and low-lying communities, to take appropriate action should flooding occurs.
PAGASA also continued to monitor other major dams across the country as water levels in its reservoirs have also increased.
These include Angat Dam with 214.15 meters of water level on Friday from 211.30 meters on Thursday; La Mesa Dam at 80.12 meters from 79.90 meters; San Roque Dam at 264.48 meters from 258.58 meters; and Pantabangan Dam at 200.57 meters from 198.83 meters;
The water level in Laguna's Caliraya Dam slightly decreased from 287.95 meters to 287.74 meters.