By Hilda Austria
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Two gates of the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan were opened 4.5 meters wide as of 2 p.m. Friday, to prevent the continued rise of water in anticipation of incoming weather disturbances.
National Power Corporation-San Roque Dam flood operation manager Teresa Serra said in a phone interview the dam’s estimated total discharge from the recent gate opening is around 880 cubic meters per second.
“This is necessary since Binga and Ambuklao are still releasing water even if there are no more rainfall in most parts of Pangasinan. The water level of the dam is still rising and we need to draw it back to safer level. This is the best time to drawdown the water in the dam since there is not much rain and the water levels in the Agno River is at normal level,” she said.
As of noon Friday, the dam’s water level is at 282.87 meter above sea level (masl), way above the 280 meter spilling level. Serra said they are still monitoring if there is still a need to increase the discharge from the dam.
Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office emergency operations center head Pia Flores, in a separate phone interview, said they are monitoring the river systems on the possible effect of the dam discharge.
She said they have also advised their local counterparts if there is a need for pre-emptive evacuation of residents in low-lying areas along Agno River. (PNA)