La Mesa Dam nears spilling level amid Kristine rains

The water level of La Mesa Dam in Quezon City is nearing its spilling level amid the non-stop rains on Thursday due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, according to PAGASA’s situationer.

The water level is at 79.1 meters as of 9 p.m., which is 1.05 meters away from the spilling level of 80.15 meters, and is expected to “rise due to moderate to occasional heavy rains caused by STS Kristine.”

The state weather bureau advised that the overflowing of La Mesa Dam may affect  low-lying areas along Tullahan River from Quezon City (Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria, and San Bartolome), Valenzuela (North Expressway, La Huerta Subdivision), and Malabon.

Residents living in the said areas are advised to take precautionary measures, PAGASA added.

In a separate bulletin, residents living in the said areas are highly advised to take precautionary measures due to possible flash floods.

"Road/street flooding is possible in several areas due to impounding water, poor/clogged drainage systems and higher tide levels, which could render some roads not passable," PAGASA also said.

The people living near the mountain slopes and in the low-lying areas in Marikina, Pasig, Rizal, and Laguna are also advised to be extra cautious due to the heavy rains affecting the Pasig-Marikina-Laguna de Bay River Basin. — BAP, GMA Integrated News