Nando raises Bulacan dams’ water levels

MALOLOS, Philippines — Rain spawned by Super Typhoon Nando raised water levels in three dams in Bulacan, prompting operators to open the floodgates of two reservoirs to release water.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water level in Angat Dam was at 205.03 meters, and in Ipo and Bustos dams 100.95 and 15.64 meters, respectively, according to the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO).

Angat’s elevation was 90 centimeters higher than the previous day’s level, and was 6.97 meters below its normal high level of 212 meters.

Ipo and Bustos’ previous elevations were 101.05 and 15.46 meters, respectively.

Operators of Ipo Dam opened one of its floodgates to release 60.50 cubic meters per second (cms) of water, which flowed to a downstream river system.

Water released from Ipo increased the overflow level in Bustos Dam, which was also prompted to open one of its floodgates.

Meanwhile, due to spillage from Ipo and the increased upstream river flow, Bustos was compelled to increase its overflow to 272 cms from the previous day’s 156 cms.

PDRRMO chief Manuel Lukban Jr. said that since two of Bustos’ rubber gates are undergoing repair and four others have been deflated this rainy season, elevation in excess of 15 meters automatically overflows to downward river systems.