FLOOD WARNING RAISED AS LA MESA DAM OVERFLOWS

Flood warning is raised as La Mesa Dam overflows and other dams are closely being monitored for spilling (Photo courtesy of Miguel de Guzman/Philippine Star)

Wednesday morning the La Mesa Dam has overflowed due to incessant rains spawned by Tropical Storm “Enteng” and enhanced Soouthwest Monsson (Habagat), reaching 80.20 meters which was above from its normal high-water level of 80.15 meters based on the monitoring of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

La Mesa Dam which does not have floodgates like other major dams would automatically overflow when it reached its spilling level and would flow through Tullahan River according to Pagasa. 

This situation will affect some parts of Metro Manila that could lead to flooding particularly the low-lying areas along the Tullahan River in Quezon City including Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria, and San Bartolome. 

“All the residents living in the aforementioned areas, especially those near the riverbanks, are advised to be alert to further increase of water level. Residents and the local disaster risk reduction and management councils (DRRMCs) concerned are advised to take appropriate actions,” Pagasa said.

Ipo Dam is also under monitoring as it reached 100.59 meters on September 4 which is close from its spilling level of 101.10 meters. One control gate of the Ipo Dam was opened to release rainwaters in small amounts. The Pagasa said that they "have always been alerting the concerned local government units and villages a day or several hours before the gates are opened to get them prepared." 

As of September 4, here are the current and normal water levels of other dams based on Pagasa’s monitoring.

• Angat- 189.17 meters; 210 meters (Difference: 20.83 meters)
• Ambuklao- 748.62 meters; 752 meters (Difference: 3.38 meters)  
• Binga- 571.86 meters; 575 meters (Difference: 3.14 meters) 
• San Roque- 254.47 meters; 280 meters (Difference: 25.53 meters) 
• Pantabangan- 191.37 meters; 216 meters (Difference: 24.63 meters) 
• Magat Dam- 184.61 meters; 190 meters (Difference: 5.39 meters) 
• Caliraya- 287.28 meters (no data available for normal high-water level)

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

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