La Mesa Dam Overflows

Manila (PNA) — Due to rains brought by the combined effects of southwest monsoon and tropical storm “Mario,” the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City was placed under red alert Friday, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

In a interview, PAGASA hydrologist Jason Bausa said La Mesa has spilled as the water lever reached 80.18 meters as of 10:10 a.m. which is above its high water level of 80.15 meters.

“Umapaw na po yung La Mesa dam dahil sa patuloy yung pagbuhos ng ulan kung kaya’t nung bandang 6 a.m. ng umaga inaabisuhan natin ang mga maapektuhan na maging handa at kung maaari ay lumikas,” Bausa told the Philippines News Agency (PNA).

The dam has no gates and the excess water will spill and flow into the Tullahan River, which runs through the northern part of Quezon City, including the Fairview area, as well as the cities of Malabon, Valenzuela, and Caloocan.

Meanwhile, he added that Binga Dam in Benguet opened two gates by one meter as the Binga dams water level was at 574.63 meters as of 9 a.m., almost its normal high level of 575.00 meters.

Bausa noted that Binga’s waters flow downstream to the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, which can contain the spillage. San Roque Dam’s water level stood at 267 meters as of 9 a.m. Friday, or way below its normal 280.00-meter level.

He added that they continue to monitor Magat Dam as the water level stood at 189.84 meters as of 9 a.m. and is expected to open one of its gates if reaches 190-meter level.

Meanwhile, the water levels of Ambuklao Dam in Benguet, Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija, Caliraya Dam in Laguna, and Ipo and Angat dams in Bulacan are either below or at normal levels, the weather agency added. (PNA) JBP/CLTC