MANILA - The Magat Dam on Wednesday released water from its reservoir, threatening to further raise the level of the Cagayan River, which has swelled due to rains from typhoon Rosita.

The dam's reservoir level reached its spilling level of 193.33 meters at 10 a.m., said Engineer Eduardo Ramos, division manager of the National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System.

This prompted authorities to open an additional spillway gate to release 3, 914 cubic meter per second or some 19,570 drums, he said.

The released water will flow directly to the Magat River, a tributary of the Cagayan River.

The Cagayan River's water level was at 9.37 meters in the Buntun Bridge area around 8 a.m. This has breached the 7-meter warning level and is just 2.6 meters shy of the 12-meter critical level, the local disaster office said.

This drone shot shows the rising level of the Cagayan River. Courtesy of Jesus Taquiqui

Some 10,400 residents who fled to evacuation centers due to Rosita were advised not to return to their homes yet as the Cagayan River swelled, said retired S/Supt. Pedro Danguilan, OIC of the provincial disaster office.

• 10,000 Cagayan folk in evacuation centers after Rosita exit

Rosita ripped across Luzon on Tuesday, sparking multiple deadly landslides and ripping off roofs. It has left the Philippine area of responsibility.