(San Roque Dam photo from Philippine News Agency website)
QUEZON CITY (PIA) — State weather bureau PAGASA advised all residents and local government units (LGUs) along the Agno River in Luzon on Monday, Nov. 18, to take appropriate action as the dams lining the river system have opened several gates, discharging 2,246.31 cubic meters of water per second (cms).
It said that due to heavy rains from Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) the river’s tributaries have swollen, adding that flood threat is valid until 8 a.m. Nov. 19.
In its Monday 8 a.m. hydrological situation, PAGASA said the Ambuklao Dam has opened eight gates with a total opening of 5.5 meters, and was discharging 750.79 cms, threatening Barangay Ambuklao in Bukod, Benguet.
Meanwhile, the Binga Dam has opened six gates with a total opening of 7.5 meters, with a total discharge of 759.16 cms, threatening Barangays Dalupirip and Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet.
On the other hand, the San Roque Dam has opened one gate at 0.5 m, discharging 402.52 cubic meters per second. Flood threat is up over municipalities in Pangasinan, including San Manuel, San Nicolas, Asingan, Tayug, Santa Maria, Villasis, Rosales, Santo Tomas, Alcala, Bayambang, and Bautista.
Residents and the local disaster risk reduction and management councils (DRRMCs) concerned are advised to take appropriate action and to continuously monitor the Agno River’s situation.
A 2015 demographic data indicates that the Agno River Valley is home to 2,000,000 people.
Agno River or Pangasinan River traverses the provinces of Benguet, Pangasinan and Tarlac, meandering 248 kilometers downstream. It has a drainage area of 5,952 square kilometers (2,298 sq mi), originating in the Cordillera Mountains and emptying into the South China Sea via the Lingayen Gulf. (PIA DMD)
