Boholanos near Wahig River evacuated as Malinao Dam reaches critical level

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

TAGBILARAN CITY — Residents living near the Wahig River in Pilar town, Bohol province were directed to immediately leave their homes with the Malinao Dam likely to overflow.

In its flood advisory at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the National Irrigation Administration – Central Visayas said the Malinao Dam is in critical spill level.

“This is very alarming. Evacuate before 5 p.m.,” it said in a Facebook post.

In a span of two hours and 15 minutes, the water level of Malinao Dam has increased to 24 cm due to heavy rains spawned by a low-pressure area and a shear line.

Bohol is under an “Orange Rainfall Warning” where flooding is possible in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.

Malinao Dam, one of the major dams in Bohol, was built in 1995.

As of 3 p.m., the water level at the Malinao Dam was at 152. 07 meters, which is at its total capacity of 152 meters, and much above the critical level of 146.5 meters.

Responders from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office are in the area to assess and monitor.

In San Miguel town, the Bayongan Dam’s water level was 52.04 meters, over its full capacity of 52 meters.

The dam in Ubay town such as Capayas has a water level of 36.61 meters, a bit higher than its full capacity of 36.50 meters, while the Benliw Dam has reached 33.05 meters, also above its full capacity of 33.0 meters.

At the Talibon Dam, the water level also exceeded its capacity of 30.0 meters.

Classes in several areas in Bohol were suspended by their respective local governments on Wednesday due to the inclement weather.

The towns of Valencia, Mabini and Clarin suspended classes at all levels. Sevilla town suspended classes for preschool and elementary, while Getafe suspended classes from preschool, to the secondary level.

/MUF/abc