Water levels in dams rise due to Habagat rains

The continuous rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) caused water levels in dams to rise, PAGASA said on Sunday.

PAGASA hydrologist Richard Orendain said the water level at the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City was at 79.70 meters as of 5 a.m., nearing its spilling level of 80.15 meters.

"Kung tuloy-tuloy ang pag-ulan sa watershed ng La Mesa Dam, posible itong umabot sa spilling level na 80.15 (meters) tonight or bukas ng madaling araw," he told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

(If heavy rains continue over the La Mesa Dam watershed, it could reach its spilling level of 80.15 [meters] tonight or early tomorrow morning.)

PAGASA added that the water level in the nearby Tullahan River almost reached critical level on Saturday per monitoring.

"Sa ngayon, medyo nag-recede na nang kaunti. Ayun ang nakakatakot, halimbawa, tuloy-tuloy na pag-ulan at umapaw itong La Mesa Dam, may possibility na magkaroon ng mga pagbaha along Tullahan River. Posibleng umapaw 'yung Tullahan River," said Orendain.

(As of now, it has receded a bit. What's concerning is if, for example, the continuous rains persist and La Mesa Dam overflows, there is a possibility of flooding along the Tullahan River. The Tullahan River could potentially overflow.)

Meanwhile, the Angat Dam is still at a safe level at 161.12 meters as of 5 a.m. Although it rose by 2.23 meters, PAGASA said that it's still far from the spilling level of 210 meters.

"Based sa assessment namin, by end of August, nasa 170 to 175 meters lang ang magiging water level nitong Angat Dam," said Orendain.

(Based on our assessment, by the end of August, the water level at Angat Dam will only be around 170 to 175 meters.)

The Ambuklao Dam in Benguet, on the other hand, has opened eight gates as of reporting. The Binga Dam, also in Benguet, has also opened six gates.

Further, the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan is in need of more water per PAGASA.

"Kailangan talagang mapunuan itong San Roque Dam dahil napakababa sa ngayon, 239.72 [meters] 'yung lebel niya. Tumaas na siya ng six meters at malayo pa rin sa normal high water level," said Orendain.

(San Roque Dam really needs to be replenished because it is currently very low, sitting at a level of 239.72 [meters]. Even though [the water level] has risen by six meters, it is still far from its normal high water level.)

According to PAGASA's 4 a.m. weather forecast, Habagat will continue to bring rains over Metro Manila and several parts of Luzon and the Visayas on Sunday.

PAGASA said monsoon rains are expected over Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila, the rest of the Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Antique will experience occasional rains due to the Habagat. —KG, GMA News