NIA to release water from Magat Dam

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Water will be released from Magat Dam to prevent it from reaching the 193-meter limit, an official of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said yesterday.

Rodolfo Mejia, NIA Magat Dam and Reservoir Division head, said the water level yesterday was less than a meter of the spilling level.

Mejia warned residents to avoid going near Magat River when they release water today.

Heavy rains spawned by Typhoon Lando over the dam’s watershed in the provinces in the Cordillera Region contributed to the rise in the water level.

Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III had asked dam authorities to schedule the release of water at least during daytime to prevent casualties. Two boys drowned when they were carried away by strong currents when water was released from the dam last month.