La Mesa Dam breaches spill level

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The La Mesa Dam reached its spill level just before noon Tuesday, August 20, and flood water spilling into the Tullahan River is now threatening residents downstream.

The dam reached its 80.15 m spill level at 11:35 am Tuesday, Jeric Sevilla, head of Manila Water’s corporate communications, said in an interview on ANC.

Sevilla called on residents living along the banks of the river to evacuate immediately, and said they have informed the local government units concerned.

It reached 80.16 m as of 11:45 am, Sevilla said.

It rose further as the afternoon progressed. At 3 pm, the dam level was at 80.32 m.

Meanwhile, the Magat, Ipo, Ambuklao, and Binga dams all have open gates to let water out, state weather bureau PAGASA, which monitors dam levels in Luzon, said in its latest update.

PAGASA said the waters from Magat, Ambuklao, and Binga will go down to San Roque, which is still far from its spill level. – Rappler.com