Dams open as rains from Bising approach normal high water levels

On Monday morning, gates at Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Benguet were opened as reservoirs approached their normal high water levels due to heavy rains brought by Severe Tropical Storm Bising.

At 8 a.m., one gate of Ambuklao Dam was open with the reservoir water level (RWL) recorded at 751.39 meters, nearing the normal high water level (NHWL) of 752 meters and discharging 47.23 cubic meters per second.

Two gates of Binga Dam were also open with its RWL at 573.45 meters near the NHWL of 575 meters, discharging a total of 113.87 cubic meters per second.

PAGASA forecasted cloudy skies and scattered rains in Benguet due to the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), with an average basin rainfall of 34 millimeters recorded on Monday for both dams and a Tuesday forecast of 10-25 mm.

The overflow from Ambuklao Dam may affect Ambuklao village in Bokod town, while Binga's flow could impact Dalupurip and Tinongdan villages in Itogon town; the local disaster risk management council is advised to take necessary precautionary measures.