La Mesa Dam overflows

MANILA, Philippines — The La Mesa Dam in Quezon City overflowed on Wednesday due to the incessant rains spawned by the typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon locally known as «habagat.»

State hydrologist Richard Orendain of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) told The Manila Times that the dam started to overflow past 6 p.m. when its reservoir water level reached 80.16 meters.

Pagasa administrator Servando Nathaniel said earlier in the day that the dam would overflow anytime as it was close to its spilling level of 80.15m.

The state-run weather agency quickly alerted the affected villages in Quezon City, Valenzuela City and Malabon as the floodwaters would go down the Tullahan River that passes through the three localities.

At 7p.m., Wednesday, Orendain said the water level was measured a little higher at 80.17m.

«So the dam is now continuously overflowing,» said Orendain as he cited reports from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System that the situation would continue unless the rain stopoed.

He said that La Mesa Dam was an «open dam» and unlike the Angat Dam has gates that could control the excess water.

He reiterated Pagasa's warning to residents, especially those living near the riverbanks to evacuate as there was no assurance yet as to when the dam would stop from overflowing.