By Philippine Daily Inquirer News Correspondent Villamor Visaya Jr.
RAMON, Isabela—The National Irrigation Administration–Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS) will open a one-meter spillway gate at Magat Dam here on Thursday as a preemptive measure ahead of expected heavy rains from Tropical Storms Emong and Dante.
Engineer Carlo Ablan, NIA-MARIIS dam division manager, said on Wednesday that the planned water release is also in anticipation of the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” which could bring additional rainfall to the dam’s watershed.
“These minimal, preemptive releases are necessary to maintain a safe water level and ensure the structural integrity of the dam,” Ablan explained.
To warn communities downstream, 24 early warning stations from Ramon town to Gamu town, which is also in this province, have been activated.
Alerts will also be disseminated through various government channels and media outlets.
