Baguio gets almost 2 months of rainfall in 20 hours of ‘Lando’

The highest rainfall amount from storm “Lando” (international name “Koppu”) was recorded in Baguio City, bringing almost twice of Benguet’s usual rainfall in October, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Baguio City in Benguet 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, according to PAGASA senior weather forecaster Chris Perez.

“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 dams in Benguet on Tuesday.

Ambuklao Dam opened eight gates, while Binga Dam opened six gates on Tuesday. On Monday, both dams had opened only two gates each.

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

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. 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, continues 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.