In a proactive move, the San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan, partially opened one of its gates on Monday at noon, releasing water at a rate of 63 cubic meters per second. This action was taken in anticipation of increased water inflow due to Typhoon Nika, also known internationally as Toraji. According to Teresa Serra, the flood operation manager at the National Power Corporation-San Roque Dam Office, this preemptive release is crucial to lower the reservoir’s elevation.
Serra noted that the total water discharge from the dam, including turbine releases for power generation, ranges between 200 to 230 cubic meters per second. This water flows into the Agno River and its tributaries, which can handle up to 1,400 cubic meters per second. She reassured that the current release is minimal and should not lead to flooding.
Vincent Chiu, head of operations and training at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), mentioned that the expected water inflow into the dam would come from mountainous regions, including the Binga and Ambuklao dams. He emphasized that the river systems in Pangasinan are currently below normal levels, suggesting that the dam’s water release poses no immediate flood threat.
As of 8 a.m., the dam’s water level stood at 278.07 meters above sea level, below the normal high level of 280 meters. Chiu confirmed that the province is on red alert, with teams strategically positioned to support local government units in rescue and other operations. Additionally, PDRRMO staff, the Army, and the police are on standby.
Local authorities have been advised to conduct preemptive or forced evacuations in high-risk areas, particularly in the 14 localities under a storm surge advisory. The northeastern part of Pangasinan, including the municipalities of San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, Sison, San Manuel, Umingan, and Tayug, remains under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, while the rest of the province is under Signal No. 1.
In a related development, the National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System Dam and Reservoir Division announced that one gate of the Magat Dam would be opened by 4 p.m. on Monday. Carlo Ablan, the flood operation manager at Magat Dam, stated that Gate 4 would be opened to a height of 1 meter, with an expected discharge of 130 cubic meters per second. As of 8 a.m., the Magat Dam’s elevation was at 181.95 meters, well below its normal high level of 190 meters.