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The National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MRIIS) warned residents in northern Luzon on Saturday of potential flooding, as it announced that it is discharging nearly 800 cubic meters per second (cms) of water. .
In an advisory, the NIA-MRIIS said that gate 4 of the Magat dam opened to two meters, releasing excess water to 393 cm.
Gate 3 meanwhile was opened to one meter at 8 am with a 179 cms discharge.
However, the gate opening was increased to two meters at 9 am with a 393 cm discharge.
The Magat dam is discharging 786 cm of water on Saturday morning.
Residents of upper, middle and lower Cagayan were warned of possible flooding due to the release of water from the Magat dam.
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Posted by NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System on Friday, November 27, 2020
Posted by NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System on Friday, November 27, 2020
PAGASA said Saturday that cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms are expected due to the end of a cold front in mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Montaña Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora and Benguet.
Meanwhile, the northeast or Amihan monsoon will prevail over the Ilocos region, Batanes and the Babuyan islands.
The state meteorological office has warned residents in such areas of potential flash floods or landslides during moderate to heavy rains at times.
Isabela and Cagayan were placed in a state of calamity earlier this month after Typhoon Ulysses struck when massive flooding engulfed houses and residents had to seek shelter on rooftops.
The NIA received criticism that the release of water from the Magat dam caused widespread flooding in Cagayan and Isabela two weeks ago.
However, NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya said the Magat Dam’s gates had to be opened amid heavy Ulysses rain to prevent the dam from breaking and causing a major catastrophe.
Visaya also maintained that the opening of the water gates of the Magat dam was not the main cause of the floods in Cagayán and Isabela.
The House Agriculture and Food Committee conducted an investigation to analyze NIA’s decision to open the floodgates of the Magat Dam spillway, and whether such movement was made following established guidelines and protocols.
At the hearing, Visaya said that the Magat dam was not designed for flood control as it quoted its operations manual as saying “[i]It is emphasized that there is no provision for the storage of flood water in the Magat reservoir unless the reservoir is below the full supply level of 193 (meters) when the flood hits. “
Visaya further said that the annual budget of P5 to P10 million for the maintenance of the Magat dam is not enough. —Jamil Santos / KG / LBG, GMA News
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