LINGAYEN: The San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan, has opened one of its gates at 0.5 meters to release water at a rate of 63 cubic meters per second starting at noon on Monday, in anticipation of increased inflow due to Typhoon Nika (international name Toraji). According to Philippines News Agency, Teresa Serra, the flood operation manager at the National Power Corporation-San Roque Dam Office, stated that the pre-release of water is a necessary measure to manage the reservoir's elevation. Serra explained that the total water release, including turbine discharges for power generation, is estimated to be around 200 to 230 cubic meters per second, flowing into the Agno River and its tributaries, which can handle a capacity of approximately 1,400 cubic meters per second. "The water release is minimal. The rivers can hold it and would not cause flooding," she assured. Despite the typhoon bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to Pangasinan, the expected water inflow into the dam will primarily come from mount ainous areas, including Binga and Ambuklao dams. Vincent Chiu, the operations and training head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), noted that the province's river systems remain below normal levels, and the water release is a precautionary measure. He emphasized that there should be no immediate threat of flooding. The dam's current level stands at 278.07 meters above sea level, just below the normal high level of 280 meters. Chiu mentioned that the province is on red alert status, with teams positioned strategically to assist local government units in rescue and other operations. Additionally, PDRRMO staff, the Army, and the police are on standby. Evacuation efforts are being coordinated in high-risk areas, including 14 localities that have been issued a storm surge advisory. The northeastern part of Pangasinan, including the municipalities of San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, Sison, San Manuel, Umingan, and Tayug, remains under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, while the rest of the province is under Signal No. 1. In a related development, the National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System Dam and Reservoir Division has announced that one of Magat Dam's gates will be opened by 4 p.m. on Monday. Carlo Ablan, the Magat flood operation manager, indicated that Gate 4 will be opened at 1 meter, with an estimated discharge of 130 cubic meters per second. Magat Dam's current elevation is 181.95 meters, below its normal high level of 190 meters.