Shear line raises Luzon dams’ elevations

MANILA, Philippines —  Three major dams in Luzon continued to release water yesterday after heavy rains spawned by the shear line raised the reservoirs’ elevations closer to normal high water level.

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, operators of the Magat Dam in Isabela opened a gate to release water at 328.94 cubic meters per second (cms).

The dam’s elevation reached 187.59 meters or 5.41 meters below its normal high water level of 193.

A gate of the Ambuklao Dam in Benguet was opened to release 75.33 cms of water after the elevation reached 751.57 meters, or only 43 centimeters below its normal high water level of 752 meters.

Binga Dam, also located in Benguet, had one gate opened to release 62.26 cms of water after its elevation reached 573.95  meters, or 1.05 meters below its normal high water level of 575.

Meanwhile, Angat Dam in Bulacan improved by six centimeters after its elevation reached 200.41 meters yesterday, although it was still short by 11.59 meters from its normal high water level of 212 meters.

Elevation in Ipo Dam, also in Bulacan, reached 100.53 meters or only 57 centimeters below its normal high water level of 101.1 meters.

La Mesa Dam in Quezon City reached 79.72 meters or 43 centimeters below its spilling level of 80.15 meters.

San Roque Dam in Pangasinan reached 281.35 meters or 1.35 meters above its normal high water level of 280.

State meteorologists said the shear line was expected to bring heavy rains yesterday over Cagayan and Isabela, and moderate to heavy rains over Apayao and Kalinga.

Heavy to intense rains are expected in Cagayan today, while Isabela and Apayao will experience moderate to heavy rains.

Cagayan is expected to experience moderate to heavy rains tomorrow.