Binga, Ambuklao, Ipo dams release water; affected locals advised to evacuate

Three dams in Benguet and Bulacan opened their gates on Monday as southwest monsoon continued to dump rain into the dams, according to a report over GTV's Unang Balita.

As of 6 a.m., state weather bureau PAGASA reported that the Ambuklao Dam in Bokod, Benguet;  Binga Dam in Itogon, Benguet; and Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan had one gate open.

Residents living near the dams were warned of the release of water and were urged to prepare for possible flash floods.

According to PAGASA, Ipo Dam's reservoir water level (RWL) was at 100.76 meters which is close to the normal high water level (NHWL) of 101.0.

Ambuklao Dam's RWL reached 751.21 which is close to its NHWL of 752.

Binga Dam's RWL reached 573.14, nearly at the NHWL which is at 575.

Also according to PAGASA, the normal July rainfall amount at the Quezon Science Garden, which was 493.3 mm, was exceeded from July 19 to 24 at 505.5 millimeters.

The normal rainfall amount was also surpassed at the Port Area, Manila, from the usual 420.5 mm to 507.8 mm.

Similarly, the normal rainfall amount at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay of 316.7 mm was exceeded by 375.0 mm of rain during the period. — Consuelo Marquez/DVM, GMA News