Ambuklao, Binga, Magat dams release water amid Julian

Three dams — Ambuklao, Binga, and Magat — have released water amid the onslaught of Super Typhoon Julian, according to state weather bureau PAGASA on Tuesday.

Based on PAGASA’s 8 a.m. dam update, the water levels in these three dams remained close to exceeding their normal high water level:

• Ambuklao - 751.23 meters, normal level at 752 meters
• Binga - 573.40 m, normal level at 575 m
• Magat - 184.18 m, normal level at 190 m

Meanwhile, the water level in the following dams rose on Tuesday:

• Angat - from 194.83 to 194.88 m
• Ambuklao - from 750.51 m to 751.23 m
• San Roque - from 273.75 m to 274.62
• Pantabangan - 201.68 m to 201.91 m

Floods were reported as Julian brought up to torrential rains in some areas in Luzon.

Julian as of 4 a.m. was located 205 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

The super typhoon was moving west northwestward slowly.

A total of 77,249 people or 22,645 families were affected by Julian in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its report on Tuesday.

Of the affected population, 762 persons or 254 families were staying in evacuation centers while 1,031 individuals or 327 families were taking shelter in other places.

Classes in 253 areas and work schedules in 108 areas were suspended due to Julina.

Assistance worth P987,732 has been provided to the Julian victims so far, according to the NDRRMC. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News