Magat, Binga dams open amid Kristine downpour

One gate was opened each at Magat Dam and Binga Dam on Wednesday morning as Tropical Storm Kristine continued to bring rains in the country, state weather bureau PAGASA said. 

As of 8 a.m., PAGASA said that a gate at Magat Dam—located between Ifugao and Isabela—was open at 1.0 meter, releasing water 132.00 cubic meters per second (CMS).

The dam's reservoir water level (RWL) was at 182.28 meters, slightly lower than Tuesday’s 182.99 meters. It has a 193-meter normal high water level (NHWL).

Meanwhile, Binga Dam in Benguet was opened at 0.5 meters, releasing 11.99 CMS of water. Its RWL also decreased from 574.20 meters on Tuesday to 573 meters on Wednesday. It has a 575-meter NHWL. 

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered concerned agencies to closely monitor water dams in the country in anticipation of the onslaught of Tropical Storm Kristine in Luzon.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is currently raised in 26 areas in Luzon as Kristine maintained its strength while approaching the Isabela and northern Aurora area on Wednesday, said PAGASA. 

TCWS No. 1 is also hoisted in the various areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. 

—Giselle Ombay/ VAL, GMA Integrated News