Thursday, January 27, 2011

9:00AM 01/27/11
Sevilla “hydro”
gates opened

LOBOC BOHOL. DISASTER authorities are closely monitoring the Loboc River as histories of flooding have heightened alerts among riverside residents with the non-stop rains that fell here since yesterday 12:00.

Loboc River is the emptying basin for three major dams in Bohol: Hanopol Balilihan Hydropowerplant, Ewon Sevilla hydro and Tontonan Loboc Hydro power plant.

The rains have so far accumulated a huge bulk of water which should be emptied to assure the dam’s operational viability.

The previous releasing of the water however disrupted river cruise operations on the lower tributaries, flooded agricultural lands and ruined an estimated P6M in property, separate sources said.

According to Engr. Alfredo Onez, the two gates of the Ewon Sevilla dam were fully opened as of 5:50 this morning as collected water has reached 31.60 meters.

He however assured that safety considerations were considered.

In a radio interview, Onez added that the rise in the water has been noted since last night.

He also shared that at 31.20 meters and the water is not released, the excess water can destroy the power turbines.

The 31.60 meters release has been according to existing protocols to make sure that the 34.00 meters water level is not breached as this could jeopardize the operation of the power plant.

River watch monitor Joselito Omana, again in an interview said water levels at the Loboc Tourism Complex landing has risen two inches above the embankments but also added the currents has so far been a little above normal.