Ten municipalities in Bulacan are now on the alert due to the rising level of water in the Angat River and with two dams in the province nearing their spilling level amid heavy rains on Thursday, July 27.
As of 8 a.m. on Thursday, the water level of Angat Dam was at 183.13 meters, (normal high water level is 212 meters) ; the Ipo Dam was at 101.20 meters (spilling level is 101.00 meters); while Bustos Dam was at 17.17 meters (spilling level is 17.00 meters). The dams' water levels continue to rise due to heavy rains.
Ipo Dam. (Photo from the official Facebook page of Bulacan rescue/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Ipo Dam authorities conducted a spilling operation at 11 a.m. with one spillway gate opened with an initial discharge of 61 centimeters per second (cms).
The Local Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) and the residents living along the low-lying areas as well as those near the river bank of Angat River were advised to be on alert for the possible rise in the river elevation.
Alerted municipalities were Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Calumpit, Paombong, and Hagonoy.
As of this writing, the PAG-ASA and Ipo Dam authorities continue to monitor the hydrological condition of the Angat River.