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MANILA, Philippines - At least five dams in Luzon have opened their gates, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, as reservoir managers continued to cope with a week's worth of torrential rains.
PAGASA hydrologist Gine Nievares said that as of 7:20 a.m. on Saturday, Ipo Dam in Bulacan had opened one gate, and was getting closer to returning water levels to a normal 100.80 meters. Nievares said Ambuklao and Binga dams in Benguet were still releasing water, as were San Roque Dam in Pangasinan and Magat Dam in Isabela.
Ambuklao Dam on Saturday opened four gates by three meters each, while Binga Dam opened five gates as the water levels in the dams were close to breaching their spilling levels.
As of 6 a.m. Saturday the water level at Ambuklao Dam stood at 751.57 meters, 0.43 meters below the spilling level of 752.00 meters.
On the other hand, the water level at Binga Dam was at 573.49 meters, or 1.51 meters short of its spilling level of 575.00 meters.
Ambuklao and Binga dams' water flow downstream to the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan which also opened one gate.
San Roque Dam's water level was 282.38 meters. Its normal water level is 280.00 meters.
Magat Dam in Isabela opened two gates by three meters and as of 6 a.m. Saturday, its water level was 190.77 meters. Its normal water level is 190.00 meters.
Residents downsream of the dams have been warned of possible flashfloods and landslides.
Meanwhile, La Mesa Dam in Novaliches, Quezon City, remained on "red alert" status as its water elevation neared its own spilling level. As of 6 a.m. Saturday, Nievares said La Mesa's water level was at 79.78 meters, or 0.37 meters below the spilling level of 80.15 meters.
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