San Roque Dam waters still below normal level
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACT
THE fear and anxiety among residents that the San Roque Dam, located in San Manuel town, would release waters amid continuous rains induced by Super Typhoon Egay and enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Hanging Habagat) and further aggravate flooding in many towns and cities was lost soon after it was announced that, as of Tuesday, July 25. PAGASA 6 A.M. update, the dam was still 258.51 meters above sea level (masl) below the dam’s 280 masl normal high-water level.
The safe level was determined even after Ambuklao and Binga Dams, located at the Benguet province, opened their gates and added to the San Roque Dam’s water volume.
Since July 26 up until the two dams closed gate, San Roque has added only a measly 19 masl topped by rainwater.
The dam’s gates remained closed as of August 2.
Gener Quitlong, weather specialist of the DOST-PAGASA Agno River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (ARBFFWC) allayed public fears of water being released from the dam after fake news circulated in social media stating that the San Roque Dam already began releasing water.
“Hindi po magbubukas ang dam natin hanggang hindi po nakakapunta sa normal water level. Kulang pa po masyado ang tubig na kailangan bago magbukas ang dam”, he said.
Quitlong said the dam’s current water level was a positive development, the downside is the water level may not be able to sustain farmers and electricity production up until next year.
“Baka mabitin tayo sa water supply kung walang ibang tubig na pupuno sa dam”, he said.
Since the government weather bureau has announced the onset of El Niño this July, effects have been warned to be felt up until June next year, dry spells and minimum rainfall amount can be expected.
The San Roque Dam provides water to around 32,000 hectares of farmlands, distributed in 14 towns and cities of Pangasinan. (Ahikam Pasion)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
