MANILA, Philippines — The state-run weather agency on Friday warned residents and villages to be on alert as the La Mesa Dam may overflow anytime due to the incessant rains spawned by Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine.”
Nathaniel Servando, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) administrator, told The Manila Times via Viber that the agency issued an alert regarding the Quezon City dam.
As of 8 a.m. Friday, Servando said its water level was at 79.93 meters or short of -0.22 m from its normal high water or spilling level of 80.15 m.
“Excess floodwaters in La Mesa Dam will overflow if the dam elevation reaches 80.15 meters,” he said.
The Pagasa chief said the floodwaters were expected to affect the low-lying areas along the Tullahan River from Quezon City (Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria and San Bartolome), Valenzuela City (North Expressway and La Huerta Subdivision) and Malabon.
“All the residents living in those areas, especially those near the riverbanks, are advised to be alert for further increase of water level along the river,” the Pagasa chief said.
He, however, was hopeful that the imminent overflow may not happen since the weather agency was no longer expecting heavy rains particularly at the watersheds of the dam, which was an open water reservoir.
“It may not overflow but if it happens, I think the effect would only be minimal,” he said.
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