La Mesa Dam back to normal water level

The water level at La Mesa Dam in Quezon City is back to normal on Thursday after it crossed spilling level amid rains from Typhoon Carina-enhanced Habagat.

Data from PAGASA showed that the water level of the La Mesa dam has decreased to 80.13 meters as of 8 a.m., which is slightly lower than the normal high water level of 80.15 meters.

“Ito ‘yung ang overflow kahapon hanggang gabi, pero actually mababa na rin po siya. Ang kanya pong present elevation is 80.13… So, it means hindi na po siya nag ooverflow,” PAGASA hydrologist Elmer Caringal said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(This is the one that overflowed yesterday, it already receeded. Its present elevation is 80.13… So, it means that it is no longer overflowing.)

La Mesa Dam’s water level had reached up to 80.17 meters on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Caringal said that the Binga Dam, which closed yesterday, has notified PAGASA that it may again release water on Thursday afternoon.

Data showed that the water level of Binga was at 573.88 meters, lower than its normal high of 575 meters.

“Ang Binga Dam kasi po diretso po siya ng San Roque [dam], which is ‘yung San Roque Dam po is mababa. Mababa pa po siya ng halos 49.71 meters doon sa normal high niyang 280 [meters],” Caringal said.

(The Binga dam will head to the San Roque Dam. The San Roque Dam is still low. It’s low at almost 49.71 meters from its normal high of 280 meters.)

Caringal said that Angat is also being monitored by PAGASA.

Its water level is currently at 182.20 meters, still far from its normal high water level of 210 meters.

According to Caringal, the Ipo dam is still open with its water level at 101.13 meters, slightly higher than its normal high water level of 101 meters.

The Magad Dam, meanwhile, is at 176.33 meters. Its normal high water level is 190 meters. 

Carina earlier left the Philippine Area of Responsibility. PAGASA, however, said that it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to intense rains over the western section of Luzon.

--Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL, GMA Integrated News