Ipo, Bustos Dams release water as ‘Enteng’ dumps rains in Bulacan

Rising water levels at Ipo and Bustos Dams in this province due to rains dumped by Tropical Storm Enteng have prompted operators to release water into their river system. Records from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) showed the water elevation of Ipo Dam as of 8 a.m. Monday at 101.30 meters while that of Bustos Dam was at 17.33 meters. However, at 11 a.m., Ipo Dam's water level rose to 101.88 meters compared to its spilling level of 101 meters, according to Ret. Col. Manuel Lukban Jr., PDRRMO head. "Ipo Dam has released by 11 a.m. a total of 177.18 cubic meters per second (cms) of water," Lukban noted. On the other hand, Josephine Salazar, regional director of the National Irrigation Administration in Central Luzon, said that by 11 a.m. Monday, Bustos Dam's water level rose to 17.52 meters against its spilling level of 17.35 meters. Bustos Dam's Sluice Gates 1 and 2 were raised by three meters each that released a total of 156 cms of water, she noted, adding that no wate r for irrigation was released by the said dam. Meanwhile, Governor Daniel Fernando suspended classes at all levels in public and private schools as well as government work due to the tropical storm. However, work in agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, disaster response, and other vital public services continued. "The suspension of classes was based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC)," Fernando added. The eastern part of Bulacan is currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 1, covering the cities of San Jose Del Monte, Baliwag and Meycauayan, and the towns of Obando, Bocaue, Balagtas, Bustos, Pandi, Santa Maria, Marilao, Angat, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, Doña Remedios Trinidad, and Norzagaray. Source: Philippines News Agency