Pagasa: Baguio City had most rainfall from ‘Lando’

By Ellalyn De Vera

BAGUIO CITY  -- State weather bureau Pagasa recorded the highest rainfall amount from storm “Lando” (international name “Koppu”) here, bringing to almost twice Benguet’s usual rainfall in October.

PAGASA senior weather forecaster Chris Perez said that Baguio received almost two months worth of normal rainfall within just 20 hours, from 8 a.m. Oct. 19 to 4 a.m. Oct. 20, with 737 millimeters.

Lando brought heavy to intense rains in Benguet, which normally receives 454.3 millimeters of rainfall in October, Perez said.

The heavy inflow of water prompted dam authorities to increase the number of gates releasing water from Ambuklao and Binga Dam in Benguet on Tuesday.

From two gates each last Monday, Ambuklao and Binga dams have opened on Tuesday eight and six gates, respectively.

The water discharge from Ambuklao and Binga dams flow into San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, which also opened four of its gates on Tuesday.

The water level at San Roque Dam has already breached its 280-meter flood season high water level (FSHWL), with 283.12 meters.

Perez said high total rainfall was also recorded in Basco, Batanes with 133.1 millimeters, and Dagupan City in Pangasinan with 104 millimeters due to typhoon Lando.

Magat Dam in Isabela has reduced the number of gates releasing water from seven to three on Tuesday, as the dam’s current water level of 193.35 meters is close to reaching the FSHWL of 193 meters.

Meanwhile, the water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan, which is the major source of Metro Manila’s domestic water requirements, continue to increase with 202.96 meters on Tuesday from 201.58 meters on Monday. However, it remains way below the dam’s normal 210-212 meters FSHWL.