PAGASA: Luzon's major dams are not likely to overflow yet

State hydrologists on Wednesday allayed fears of the possible overflow of major dams in Luzon due to rain from tropical storm "Juaning" (Nock-Ten). The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said it will issue the proper warnings once there is a threat of overflow. "Sa data natin as of 6 a.m., wala pa dapat ipangamba ang residente malapit sa ilog kung saan tatama ang release ng dams natin, wala ipangamba, medyo malayo pa siya sa spilling level," PAGASA hydrologist Danny Flores said in an interview on dwIZ radio. PAGASA data on major dams in Luzon as of 6 a.m. indicated the water levels were below spilling levels.

• Angat Dam: 201.69 meters, below the normal high water level or spilling level of 210 meters
• Ipo Dam, 99.88 meters, below spilling level of 100.20 meters
• La Mesa Dam, 79.42 meters, below the spilling level of 80.15 meters
• Ambuklao Dam, 746.07 meters, below spilling level of 752 meters
• Binga Dam, 563.74 meters, below spilling level of 575 meters
• San Roque Dam, 252.60 meters, below spilling level of 280 meters
• Pantabangan Dam, 185.53 meters, below spilling level of 221 meters
• Magat Dam, 179.92 meters, below spilling level of 193 meters
• Caliraya Dam, 286.26 meters, below spilling level of 288 meters.

Flores noted the water level at Angat went up by 11 cm in the last 24 hours but said it is not alarming. "Hindi pa (alarming) masyado considering ang bagyo di naman siguro tatama sa lugar," he said. Angat, Magat dams Flores also said they are monitoring Magat Dam in Isabela, one of the areas that may be affected by Juaning. "We are keeping watch particularly over Magat and Angat. Magat is far from reaching spilling level but it can fill up quickly as its reservoir is relatively small," he said. On the other hand, he clarified that should Angat release water, it will not cause floods in Metro Manila. He said the water will go to Angat River in Bulacan. Meanwhile, he said that should La Mesa Dam release water, it will go to the Tullahan river near Valenzuela City and San Bartolome in Quezon City. Alert system Flores also said PAGASA will advise the public if the water at the dams get near spilling levels. He said PAGASA is working with local government units and community-based early warning systems. In Angat Dam, he said a community-based early flood warning system and disaster risk reduction teams are on standby and "are on alert at times like this," he said. — LBG, GMA News