From GMA News

By Alexia Bangayan

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) ordered the release of water from five major dams across Luzon on Sunday, October 19, as Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) brought heavy rains that caused reservoir levels to approach danger thresholds.

In Bulacan, the Angat Dam opened one gate at 0.5 meters, releasing around 89 cubic meters of water per second (cms) to control the reservoir water level (RWL), which reached 209.08 m, just below its 210-meter normal high water level (NHWL) or spilling level.

Meanwhile, Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan, also opened one gate at 0.30 m, discharging roughly 60.50 cms, as its RWL climbed to 101 m, nearly touching its 101.10-m NHWL.

Meanwhile, in Benguet, Ambuklao Dam opened one gate at 0.3 m, releasing 53.39 cms as its RWL reached 749.77 m, close to its 752-m NHWL.

Similarly, Binga Dam also opened one gate at 0.3 m, discharging 52.69 cms as its water level rose to 572.86 m, near the 757-m NHWL.

Farther north, Magat Dam, located between Ifugao and Isabela, released water through one gate raised to 1.0 m, releasing about 266.44 cms via its turbine and spillway to ease pressure from its rising water level of 185.62 m, near the 193-m NHWL.

According to PAGASA, these controlled releases were part of standard safety measures to prevent sudden overspilling, which could worsen flooding in downstream communities.

Furthermore, the agency also noted rising levels in other major dams, including San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija, and La Mesa Dam in Quezon City, following hours of continuous rainfall.

Ramil brings heavy rains, wind signals raised

As of 11 a.m., Tropical Storm Ramil was located over Manila Bay, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 90 kph, moving west-northwest at 15 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remained raised over areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Pangasinan, while nearby provinces remained under TCWS No. 1.

PAGASA also warned of 100 to 200 millimeters of rain in Central and Northern Luzon, and 50 to 100 mm in Metro Manila and nearby areas, which may result in flooding and landslides.

Ramil is expected to cross the southwestern part of Central Luzon before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday morning, October 20, though rain showers may still persist in western parts of Luzon even after its departure.