Four major dams in Luzon have opened gates to release water following heavy rainfall caused by recent weather disturbances and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), according to PAGASA on Saturday.
Ambuklao Dam in Bokod, Benguet, and Binga Dam in Itogon, Benguet, each opened three gates at 1.5 meters wide. Magat Dam, located between Ifugao and Isabela, opened one gate at 2 meters, while Ipo Dam in Bulacan opened one gate at 0.15 meters.
Ambuklao’s water level reached 751.78 meters, nearing its normal high-water level of 752 meters. Similarly, Binga Dam recorded a water level of 574.67 meters, close to its 575-meter high-water mark. Magat Dam’s water level dropped to 186.43 meters, while Ipo Dam’s level measured 100.24 meters, just below its normal high of 101.10 meters.
The weather bureau attributed the heavy rains to several tropical cyclones, including Tropical Depression Igme, which exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday, as well as Ferdie, Gener, and Helen, which had enhanced the monsoon rains in recent days.