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Evacuation of 100,000 residents near Laguna lake recommended


Laguna authorities on Friday have recommended the evacuation of some 100,000 residents near the Laguna de Bay in fear that typhoon "Pepeng" (international name 'Parma') would unleash massive rainfall and flood more areas. The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) gave the recommendation in the press briefing at the National Disaster Coordinating Council office in Camp Aguinaldo, as the country prepares for the arrival of "Pepeng" on Saturday. “We have to effect the removal of those in the danger zone,“ LLDA general Manager Ed Manda said, referring to the residents in the low-lying areas of Cainta, Taytay, Pasig, Taguig and Muntinlupa. But Manda admitted that they are still having a difficult time evacuating some hard-headed residents. He said that even if residents refuse to follow the LLDA's policy, they do not have police power to force them out of the area. "We are a toothless tiger, a paper tiger," Manda said. The government on Friday placed the country under a state of national calamity in preparation for the expected onslaught of typhoon "Pepeng". [See: RP under state of calamity as 'Pepeng' approaches] Manda also expressed concern that the water level at the Laguna Lake would breach record levels. He said that the present water level at the Laguna Lake is now between 14 to 14.5 meters. He said the water level rose by about 1.2 meters last week due to the rains brought by tropical storm "Ondoy" that wrecked havoc in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. According to Manda, the average rise of water at the lake should only be .28 meters a month. As of Thursday night, the lake is almost 14 meters deep - half a meter away from the bay’s highest recorded level of 14.5 meters measured in 1919. - GMANews.TV

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