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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider La Mesa Dam remains at critical level; PAGASA warns of possible overflow

La Mesa Dam remains at critical level; PAGASA warns of possible overflow

Published Jul 21, 2025 10:40 am  |  Updated Jul 21, 2025 01:06 pm
La Mesa Dam (Manila Bulletin File Photo)
La Mesa Dam (Manila Bulletin File Photo)
La Mesa Dam in Quezon City remains at a critical level amid continued moderate to heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Monday, July 21.
In its Hydrological Dam Situationer No. 4 issued at 10 a.m., PAGASA said the dam's water level reached 79.69 meters as of 8 a.m., just 0.46 meters below its overflow threshold of 80.15 meters.
It warned that an overflow could cause flooding in low-lying areas along the Tullahan River, including parts of Quezon City (Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria, and San Bartolome), Valenzuela (North Luzon Expressway, La Huerta Subdivision), and Malabon.
PAGASA advised residents in these areas and nearby communities, particularly those near riverbanks, to remain alert and prepare for possible evacuations.
Meanwhile, three major dams in Luzon have been releasing water since the weekend due to continuous rainfall.
As of Monday morning, Ipo Dam in Bulacan had one gate open with a water level of 100.54 meters, slightly below its normal high of 101.1 meters.
Ambuklao Dam in Benguet, which had only one gate open on Sunday, increased to four gates on Monday as the water level reached 751.28 meters, just below its normal high of 752 meters.
Binga Dam, also in Benguet, increased its gate openings from two to six on Monday, with its water level at 574.21 meters, slightly below its normal high level of 575 meters.
Ambuklao and Binga dams are part of a cascading system that drains into San Roque Dam in Pangasinan.
San Roque Dam’s water level is currently at 244.4 meters, far below its normal high of 280 meters.
However, as a precautionary measure, PAGASA advised that the combined water releases from the upstream Ambuklao and Binga dams may still increase the risk of flooding in downstream communities.
Residents in communities downstream of Ambuklao and Binga dams, which include Barangay Ambuclao in Bokod, Benguet, and Barangays Dalupirip and Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet, are urged to remain vigilant.
Other major dams monitored by PAGASA remain below spilling levels as of Monday morning.

Related Tags

LA MESA DAM TULLAHAN RIVER PAGASA OVERFLOW HABAGAT SOUTHWEST MONSOON
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