Emergency action plan for San Roque Dam
LINGAYEN—The San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC) has assured that it has an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place that details protocols to be followed in the remote possibility of an emergency situation taking place in what is considered Southeast Asia’s highest rock-filled dam located in San Manuel town.
Melania Abubo, SRPC civil engineering officer, said in a briefing during a consultative conference called by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) and its member agencies last Tuesday that there is a preparedness plan even if it is unlikely that the dam would break.
The EAP was drawn up by SRPC to identify the potential emergency condition of the dam that could lead to uncontrolled water downstream and ultimately to dam break.
Engr. Virgilio Garcia, an official of the National Power Corporation in charge of Flood Forecasting and Warning System for Dam Operation, note that San Roque is the only dam in the Philippines that has an EAP in place.
Abubo enumerated the possible causes of an emergency condition such as overtopping, earthquakes, construction defect, operator’s error and sabotage.
She pointed out that a dam break would only possibly occur if all these conditions take place one after the other.
Over-topping, Abubo continued, is very remote because San Roque was designed to accommodate the rush of water from upstream at a rate of 12,800 cubic meters per second, which is equivalent to 64,000 drums per second.
“The dam is very safe because it was given better engineering technology, coupled by the adoption of best management practices by the management and the effective implementation and application of the EAP,” she stressed.
At the same time, multiple technical security patrols and allowing independent consultants to conduct routine patrols are observed.
TYPHOON DINDO
The PDRRMC meeting was held as part of the preparedness action plan as typhoon “Dindo”, with its strong to gale force winds and rainshowers, hit the country last week.
Col. Fernando De Guzman, officer–in-charge of the PDRRMC, said all rescue facilities of the province like rubber boats, four dump trucks, and ambulances were stationed on stand-by at the Narciso Ramos Complex for easy accessibility.
Rescue and medical groups and personnel of all line agencies were also on call to assist in the monitoring and rescue operations if needed.
As of 9 a.m. Friday, De Guzman said there were no damages and evacuees reported by local government units.
The San Roque Dam in San Manuel town registered 245.52 meters above sea level at 6 a.m. Friday for its reservoir water level and is still far from the spilling level of 280 masl, according to SRPC Vice President for operations Tom Valdez. (with report from PIA-Pangasinan)
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