Jenny brings Magat Dam to spilling level

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Rains spawned by Typhoon Jenny have raised the water in Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela almost to its spilling level.

As of yesterday, the dam’s water level was 192.50 meters, according to Engineer Wilson Agustin of the National Irrigation Administration.

Agustin said dam authorities would be compelled to release water anytime this week to prevent it from reaching the 193-meter limit.

Meanwhile, flashfloods spawned by Jenny have displaced closed to 9,000 residents from three areas in Negros Occidental, the provincial social welfare and development office reported yesterday.

Officials said that in Himamaylan City, there were 8,580 individuals affected by the floods, 334 in Kabankalan City and 59 in Isabela town.

The typhoon affected the livelihood of 1,154 families in the coastal villages of  Ilog town, since fishermen were not allowed to go at sea.