PAGASA: All gates of Angat, Ipo Dams now closed after release of water

All gates of Angat Dam and Ipo Dam are now closed after they released water on Saturday which resulted in flooding in several areas in Norzagaray, Bulacan, PAGASA said Sunday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, PAGASA hydrologist Rosalie Pagulayan said that all of the gates of Angat Dam have been closed since 5:30 a.m., while those of Ipo Dam have been closed since 6 a.m.

As of 6 a.m., the reservoir water level (RWL) in Angat Dam was 214.04 meters, down from the 215.03 meters on Saturday.

Angat Dam has a 212-meter spilling level or normal high water level.

Meanwhile, Ipo Dam had a 101.21-meter RWL on Sunday morning, slightly above Saturday’s 101.04 meters.

It has a 101-meter spilling level or normal high water level.

Both of the dams had several of their gates open to release water on Saturday due to the heavy pouring of rain over the past several days. The RWL at the dams also reached or neared the spilling level.

Due to this, at least 500 families were evacuated in Norzagaray, Bulacan after their communities were flooded following the release of water.

"There are many reported floodings within the Angat River, particularly in our low-lying areas... Actually, this is not only caused by the release of water from dams. We also have what we call local inflows or rains that do not come from that watershed but within the Angat River," Pagulayan said.

(There are many reported flooding incidents along the Angat River, particularly within the low-lying areas... Actually, this is not only caused by the release of water from dams. We also experienced local inflows or rains that were not from the watershed but within the Angat River.)

She also explained that before dams release water, PAGASA issues flood advisories, while dam offices' operators give due warnings to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (DRRMO) to have the communities prepare for possible flooding. —KG, GMA Integrated News