Bulacan dams’ spilling levels breached

MALOLOS, Philippines – The Angat and Bustos dams in Bulacan continued releasing water yesterday after their spilling levels were beached due to rains brought by Typhoon Nona.

The provincial disaster risk reduction and management office said the Angat Dam has been releasing 665 cubic meters per second, while the Bustos Dam 475 cmps.

The water from the two dams will flow to the Angat River, which cuts through the towns of Norzagaray, Angat, Bustos, San Rafael, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Calumpit and Hagonoy, and to Manila Bay.

As of 8 a.m., the Angat Dam’s water level was 215.92 meters, higher than its normal high water level of 212 meters.

The Ipo and Bustos dams also breached their spilling levels of 101 and 17.70 meters, respectively.

Water level in Ipo Dam was 101.09 meters while in Bustos 17.75 meters.

It was not immediately known whether the Ipo Dam has released any excess water from its reservoir.

Floodwaters spawned by Nona in Nueva Ecija and Pampanga continue to flow down to the municipalities of Pulilan, Calumpit and Hagonoy, all in Bulacan.

The three municipalities serve as catch basins for floodwaters coming from Central Luzon.

A total of 8,244 individuals from the three municipalities were evacuated to higher grounds.

Meanwhile, the water level in Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela also breached its spilling level, forcing officials to release excess water anew yesterday.

The dam first released water on Thursday, which caused floodings in the province and in Cagayan. – With Raymund Catindig