Binga, Magat dams continue to release water; affected areas warned
The Binga and Magat dams continue to release excess waters from their reservoirs due to heavy rains brought by consecutive tropical cyclones that hit the country in the past weeks.

Based on the Flood Forecasting and Warning Section of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Binga Dam in Benguet has one gate opened at 0.50 meters on Friday morning.
As of 6 a.m., Binga Dam's water level is already at 574.39 meters, slightly lower than the 574.45 meters recorded on Thursday and just 0.61 meters short of its 575-meter normal high water level.
One gate was also opened in Isabela's Magat Dam with a 0.50-meter opening as it continues to release water on Friday morning.
In PAGASA's data, the water level in Magat Dam still rose to 189 meters from the 188.96 meters on Thursday. Its normal high water level is at 193 meters.
PAGASA said areas likely to be affected by the opening of these gates are Barangays Dalupirip and Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet; and the municipalities of Ramon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Burgos, Naguilian, and Gamu in Isabela.
It advised residents living in these areas especially those near river channels and low-lying communities to take appropriate action should flooding occur.
The state weather bureau continued to monitor other dams across the country as water levels in these watersheds have also increased.
These include La Mesa Dam at 79.36 meters on Friday from 79.33 meters on Thursday; Ambuklao Dam at 751.45 meters from 751.26 meters; San Roque Dam at 255.01 meters from 254.57 meters; and Pantabangan Dam at 196.86 meters from 196.62 meters.
The water level in Ipo Dam in Bulacan remained at 99.64 meters which is just 1.36-meter short of its spilling level which is at 101 meters.
Meanwhile, Angat Dam's current water level slightly decreased from 202.68 to 202.66 and just 7.43 meters away from reaching its 210-meter normal high water level.
The Angat Dam, located in Norzagaray, Bulacan, is the major water source of households in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.
Caliraya Dam in Laguna also saw a decrease in its water level from 287.05 meters to 287.01 meters.