Bustos Dam releases water due to heavy rain by Enteng

The Bustos Dam in Bulacan was forced to release water at 1,300 cubic meters per second on Monday after its capacity reached beyond its spilling level amid Tropical Storm Enteng, according to a Chino Gaston’s report in 24 Oras.

But its effect on Bulacan residents was different from the floods brought by the heavy rains caused by Enteng.

In Marilao, some residents have yet to return to their homes because of the knee-deep flood waters. 

One of the 80 families residing now in evacuation is the family of Zyra David. She shared that some of their relatives are still in their houses to take care of their belongings. 

“Nandun po sila, nagpaiwan po….Naglilinis po, nagbabalik po ng mga gamit,” she said. 

(They wanted to remain home…They are cleaning and looking after our things.) 

But Monday’s flooding was not that deep and less people were affected when compared to the onslaught of Typhoon Carina last July. 

“Maganda naman yung resulta dahil napansin natin nung Bagyong Carina, ayaw mag-evacuate. But ngayon napansin namin mas marami na po yung nag-eevacuate habang pataas po yung ilog,” said Marilao MDRRMO chief Mark Joseph Guillermo. 

(We have better results now because unlike during Typhoon Carina, there were people who refused to evacuate. But we have observed that many residents decided to evacuate while the river’s water level was rising.) 

But the flood is worse in other towns in Bulacan including some parts of Barangay San Jose in Sta. Maria. The local government is trying its best to prevent the residents from crossing the flood waters. 

The eastern portion of Bulacan is under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA. 

Enteng may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday morning or afternoon. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News