Binga Dam in Benguet began releasing water on Tuesday afternoon, July 25, in anticipation of heavy rains from super typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri), said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
PAGASA hydrologist Richard Orendain said Binga Dam’s spilling operations were set to begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
He said one gate will be opened at 0.5 meters with a discharge rate of 65 cubic meters per second.
Binga Dam’s water level was 569.07 meters as of 6 a.m., which is nearly 6 meters below its 575-meter normal high water level.
Binga Dam (Photo courtesy of Napocor)
According to Orendain, the spilling operations at Binga Dam may have an impact on two barangays—Dalupirip and Tinongdan, which are located downstream of Binga Dam.
“Residents and the local disaster risk reduction and management councils concerned are advised to take appropriate action,” PAGASA said in its flood advisory.
However, Orendain pointed out that the water spilled from the Binga Dam will be caught by the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan.
It could benefit from the water released from Binga Dam, as it is still at a low-water level, he added.
As of Tuesday, the water level at San Roque Dam was 237.57 meters, which is still 42.43 meters below its 280-meter normal high water level.