La Mesa Dam starts spilling excess water

Published September 19, 2014 10:51am

(Updated 11:55 a.m.) The La Mesa Dam in Quezon City started spilling excess water at 10:30 a.m. after the water level there breached its spilling level.

Manila Water said that as of 10:30 a.m., the dam's water level was 80.17 meters, higher than the spilling level of 80.15 meters.

Earlier, some residents near Tullahan River in Valenzuela City were preemptively evacuated due to the threat of excess water from La Mesa Dam.

Also, Manila Water had appealed to residents near the Quezon City portion of Tullahan River to evacuate.

State-run Philippine Information Agency said several areas may be affected with the overflowing of the La Mesa Dam.

Affected are areas near Tullahan River including:

- Quezon City: Commonwealth, San Dionisio, Tatalon, Mindanao Ave., Victoneta Ave., Macarthur Highway

- Malabon

- Navotas

The Philippine Information Agency Central Office in Quezon City was opened as a temporary evacuation center for its employees.

Marikina

Meanwhile, in Marikina City, the city government said some 20,738 people had been brought to 16 evacuation centers as of 10:10 a.m.

Residents near the river had been forcibly evacuated since Friday morning as the water level at the river rose due to heavy rain. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News

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