Manila: A National Power Corp. (NPC) executive has assured the public that water releases from the low-level outlet (LLO) of the San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan, would not cause flooding downstream.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ma. Teresa Serra, acting manager of the NPC Dams Management Department, made the assurance during an interview, stating that the current releases from the LLO and the turbine discharges have been evaluated and are not expected to cause flooding downstream. The Agno River Flood Forecasting and Warning Center has corroborated this, providing hydrological forecasts on the river systems' status downstream.
Serra explained that the river systems downstream still have enough capacity to accommodate the dam's total water discharge, which was recorded at 400 cubic meters per second (cms) as of 1 p.m. Thursday. If the forecast remains unchanged until early next week, the LLO will remain open. Currently, the inflow of San Roque Dam is approximately 482 cms, compared to a total outflow of 402 cms, resulting in a decrease of the reservoir water level by 4 to 5 centimeters on average.
The decision to open one gate of the San Roque Dam's LLO at 5 p.m. Wednesday was a preemptive measure in response to the southwest monsoon. Notices were issued to the Office of Civil Defense - Ilocos Region, Pangasinan's PDRRMO, and other local disaster management offices prior to the release. Serra noted that this was the first time the LLO was used for such a release, which is typically employed for irrigation or to remove debris and sediments.
Serra emphasized that the LLO is being utilized to manage the reservoir's water level and avoid using the spillway gates, which are due for repair in 2027. However, the spillway gates remain an option should the need arise.
Advisories and notices have been issued to warn the public and communities along the river systems, discouraging river activities despite no immediate threat of flooding. Meanwhile, river systems in Pangasinan were reported to be above normal levels as of Friday morning, with adjustments in water levels noted in various rivers across the region.
As of 8 a.m. Friday, the water level of San Roque Dam stood at 273.64 meters above sea level.
