QUEZON: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed government agencies to maintain vigilant monitoring of dams and to execute a controlled release of water as Tropical Storm Kristine approaches the Philippines, bringing with it the threat of heavier rainfall.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos convened the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at Camp Aguinaldo, underscoring the need for dam operators to manage water levels carefully. Kristine is anticipated to make landfall over Isabela or Aurora either on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, prompting concerns over potential flooding. The President emphasized the importance of releasing water in a manner that does not adversely affect downstream communities, advocating for a “measured response” to create a buffer for expected heavy rains.
The Office of Civil Defense has reported one fatality, five injuries, and seven individuals missing due to adverse weather conditions associated with Kristine. In response, the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assured the availability of over two million family food packs across regional hubs. DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao emphasized the readiness of DSWD 1 (Ilocos region) to assist evacuees, particularly in areas near the Magat and San Roque dams, urging residents to remain alert and heed local authorities’ instructions.
The San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan, is scheduled to open one of its gates at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the National Power Corp.’s San Roque Dam Office. Tommy Valdez, Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility of the San Roque Power Corp., stated that the dam’s current level is 275.93 meters above sea level, near its spill level of 280 meters. The preemptive gate opening is intended to manage the anticipated rainfall from Kristine, with an estimated discharge of 53 cubic meters per second. Valdez noted that the discharged water is not expected to significantly impact the river systems in the province.
Kristine is f
orecasted to bring 100 mm to 200 mm of rainfall to the Ilocos Region on Thursday, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense. Pangasinan is currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2.