A convoy of vehicles brings a team from the Bulacan provincial government to Bustos Dam to inspect its rubber gates. —File photo by Carmela Reyes-Estrope | Inquirer Central Luzon
READ: Marcos orders safety measures before releasing dam water amid Carina
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, Philippines — The Ipo and Bustos dams in this province have released 1,055 cubic meters per second (cms) of water due to heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Carina, resulting in floodwaters reaching 6-foot deep in low-lying areas.
Josephine Baltazar, Central Luzon director of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), said 595 cms of water were released from Bustos Dam at 1:30 p.m. after its water level reached 17.35 meters, surpassing its spilling level of 17.00 meters. This followed the release of 460.36 cm from Ipo Dam at 1 p.m., which saw its elevation rise from the spilling level of 101.00 meters to 102.18 meters.
Consequently, a 3.2-kilometer portion of the northbound lane, a 2.5-kilometer section of the southbound lane, and an additional 2 kilometers of the northbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Meycauayan remain impassable to all types of vehicles, stranding motorists.
READ: LIVE UPDATES: Super Typhoon Carina
READ: Marcos orders safety measures before releasing dam water amid Carina
NLEX personnel are continuing water pumping operations, according to the latest advisory from the company at 1:20 p.m.
The Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that the MacArthur Highway in Meycauayan, Marilao, and Balagtas, as well as major roads in Obando, Bulakan, and Hagonoy, are also not passable to all vehicles.
Meanwhile, in Calumpit town, floodwaters reached up to 6 ft in Barangay Meysulao, adjacent to Pampanga province. Barangays San Miguel, Gatbuca, and Gugo are submerged in 5 feet of water, while Sapang Bayan and Sta. Lucia are under 4 feet of water. Barangay Ilang-ilang in Guiguinto is also experiencing 4 feet of floodwaters.
A total of 1,466 residents from 691 families in 15 barangays across nine towns and cities, including Meycauayan, Malolos, Paombong, Hagonoy, Pulilan, Calumpit, Bulakan, and Balagtas, have been evacuated since Tuesday.
The water level in Angat Dam rose to 178.52 meters above sea level (masl) from 177.55 masl on Tuesday.