DAYS after the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Maring in Benguet, the Ambuklao and Binga dams continue to have their gates open to regulate the sheer oversupply of rainwater leading to high water levels in both facilities.
The gates in both Ambuklao and Binga dams have had a total of 14 gates open since Tuesday for spilling operations continuing until Friday, October 15, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),.
Both dams’ reservoir water levels (RWLs) hit one meter below the high water level threshold on Tuesday, with Ambuklao reaching 751 meters of water, one meter shy of the 752 meter threshold for spilling level; while Binga saw 574 meters of water, also one meter short of the 575 spilling level for said facility.
As of eight o’clock in the morning of Friday, Ambuklao dam’s RWL hit 751.47 meters, 0.53 meters short of the spilling level threshold, while Binga dam was at 574.43 meters, which is only 0.57 meters short of its 575 spilling level.
PAGASA warned residents in neighboring barangays in Benguet to be wary of potential flooding as the dams continue to release water discharge downstream to San Roque dam in Pangasinan.
Magat Dam in Isabela is also open for spilling operations alongside the two Benguet dams as a result of increased water levels brought on by Severe Tropical Storm Maring..
