(National Irrigation Administration / File Photo)
by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin
Authorities have stopped Magat Dam’s spilling operations on Wednesday, April 20, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its termination of flood precaution advisory.
PAGASA said that the Magat Dam in Isabela has closed its gate at around 9 a.m. Wednesday.
In its latest monitoring, Magat Dam’s water level was at 190.01 meters, which is 3 meters below its 193.0-meter spilling level.
The dam conducted discharge operations on April 14 amid rains from the northeasterly surface wind flow.
In the past 24 hours, PAGASA recorded less than 1.0 millimeter of rainfall over the Magat watershed.
Meanwhile, it projected less than 5 millimeters of rainfall in the next 24 hours.
“With this development and unless significant rain occurs, this is the final dam situationer for this period. Flood forecasting and warning system for dam operation for Magat Dam is now terminated,” PAGASA’s advisory read.
PAGASA said the entire country can expect hot and humid weather with isolated rain showers because of the easterlies, or the warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, in the next few days.
