4 Luzon dams release water — PAGASA

As Typhoon Pedring continued to pummel Luzon, four dams that nearly breached their full capacity have continued releasing water as of Tuesday noon. In its 12 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronimical Services Administration said the reservoir water level in Ipo Dam in Bulacan reached 101.2 meters, which is higher than the 100.2-meter spilling level. Three gates of the dam have been opened. In Ambuklao Dam in Benguet province, four gates have been releasing water at three meters each because the reservoir water level of 751.63 meters has almost reached the maximum water capacity of 752 meters. Also in Benguet, four gates have been releasing water at four meters each at Binga Dam,which has a spilling level of 575 meters. As of Tuesday noon, the reservoir water level is pegged at 572.94 meters. Meanwhile, three gates Magat Dam in Isabela have been releasing water at six meters each. The reservoir water level has reached 188.74 meters, a few meters away from the spilling level of 193 meters. With this development, only five dams have not opened any floodgates yet. These include the Angat Dam in Bulacan, the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City, the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, the Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija, and the Caliraya Dam in Laguna. However, the Twitter account of PAGASA's Flood Forecasting and Warning Section said that as of 1 p.m., the water level at La Mesa Dam at 79.73 meters will soon reach the spilling 80.15-meter spilling level. "It is likely to overflow if the rainfall will continue for the next 12 hours," it added. — Sophia Dedace/RSJ, GMA News