Magat Dam opens one gate; PAGASA warns nearby towns to take precautions
By Jel Santos
(PHOTO: NIA)
The Magat Dam in Isabela opened one of its gates on Monday, August 25, as water levels remained high, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
As of 8:00 a.m., the dam’s water elevation was at 188.59 meters above sea level, with one gate opened at 2.0 meters, releasing 461.33 cubic meters of water per second, the state weather bureau said.
In its advisory, PAGASA identified possible affected areas as the municipalities of Ramon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Burgos, Naguilian, Gamu, and Alfonso Lista (Ifugao).
“Residents and the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) concerned are still advised to take necessary precautionary measures,” PAGASA stated.
As such, PAGASA reported that as of 3 a.m., a low-pressure area (LPA) was monitored east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte, while the southwest monsoon continued to affect the western section of Southern Luzon.
PAGASA weather specialist Daniel James Villamil said the LPA has little chance of developing into a storm.
Average rainfall over the Magat River basin in the past 24 hours was 15 millimeters, while the forecast for the next 24 hours is between 15 and 25 millimeters, the agency added.