Water levels in Bulacan dams remain low

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Water levels at major dams in Bulacan remained low despite rains spawned by typhoon “Butchoy.”

But the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has created teams composed of disaster officials, rescue groups, and military personnel to monitor possible flashfloods from overflowing rivers. 

Engineer Russel Rigor of the National Power Corp.’s flood forecasting and warning division, said Angat Dam’s water level dropped to 189.46 meters above sea level (masl) as of 8 a.m. Saturday from 189.61 masl the previous day.

Rigor said this is more than 20 meters below the 210-masl spilling level of the dam.

“We still have a long way to go before we release water through our spillway,” he said. 

On the other hand, Ipo Dam’s water level also dropped to 99.82 masl Saturday from 99.84 masl on Friday. The dam’s spilling level is set at 100 meters. 

PDRRMO head Liz Mungcal said they were on alert for possible flooding in the towns of Hagonoy, Calumpit, Pulilan and Paombong and this capital city.

Mungcal urged residents of coastal communities to be vigilant.