Forced evacuation imminent for residents near Laguna Lake due to rising water level
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Calabarzon has warned communities near Laguna Lake amidst the rising water level in the lake on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
The RDRRMC said that considering the threat of continuous increase in water level being monitored in Laguna de Bay amidst the rains brought about by the southwest monsoon, it issued RDRRMC Memorandum No. 137 advising the implementation of pre-emptive/forced evacuation and preparatory measures among the local government units near Laguna de Bay in case a critical water level will be reached given the continuous rains being experienced in the region.
According to the RDRRMC, based on the August 18 near-real-time monitoring from the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA)’s Radar Level Sensors, the average water level of the bay is approximately 12.34 meters and remains within the lake’s normal seasonal range. However, it is gradually approaching the maximum threshold of 12.50 meters.
RDRRMC chairperson and Office of Civil Defense regional director Carlos Eduardo E. Alvarez reminded the local DRRM Offices of the 10 LGUs in Rizal and 19 in Laguna to undertake necessary precautionary measures to mitigate the possible impacts of the ongoing Habagat.
The Regional DRRM Council has activated its virtual monitoring of the situation in the entire region and is regularly providing updates to the National DRRM Council. Response agencies are all on standby with resources available once there is a need for augmentation.