Magat Dam nearing spilling level

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines — The water level in Magat Dam, located at the border of Isabela and Ifugao, is nearing the spilling level due to continuous rain in the past three weeks.

As of 9 a.m. yesterday, Magat’s water level was at 190.56 meters, according to the National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS).

On Sunday, NIA-MARIIS flood operation manager Carlo Ablan said they would open one of the dam’s five spillway gates yesterday in anticipation of heavy rains spawned by Typhoon Agaton.

Ablan said the opening of the spillway gate would prevent the water level from reaching 193 meters, which can trigger flashfloods in low-lying villages in Isabela and Cagayan.