The operator of Magat Dam in Isabela advised the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that it would release water from the dam on Tuesday, April 20 as a precautionary measure against the rains of typhoon “Bising.”
In a notice on dam discharge warning operation issued at 6 a.m. on Monday, April 19, the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System Dam and Reservoir Division announced the opening of one spillway gate with a one-meter opening around 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
As “reservoir elevation needs to be lowered,” an estimated 200 cubic meters per second of water will be discharged “in anticipation of the expected heavy inflow due to typhoon Bising.”
Magat Dam’s water level was at 190.42 meters, based on the monitoring of the PAGASA around 6 a.m. on Monday.
It is 2.58 meters short of its 193-meter spilling level.
The regulation of outflow from Magat Dam is done to mitigate potential flood damage to the downstream.
However, communities surrounding the Magat River should stay alert for possible flooding, particularly those in the towns of Ramon, San Mateo, Luna, Aurora, Burgos, Gamu, and Naguilian in Isabela province.