La Mesa Dam —File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer
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MANILA, Philippines — La Mesa Dam overflowed on Wednesday evening due to the heavy rains brought about by Super Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon, according to state meteorologists.
As of 8:30 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the dam’s water level was at 80.17 meters.
Upon reaching 80.15 meters, Pagasa said excess water from the dam is expected to overflow.
READ: La Mesa Dam water level seen to rise more, overflow looms
READ: LIVE UPDATES: Super Typhoon Carina
Residents from low-lying areas along Tullahan River in Quezon City (Barangay Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Sta Quiteria, and San Bartolome), in Valenzuela City (Barangay Ligon, Barangay North Expressway and La Huerta Subdivision), and Malabon City are expected to experience flooding.
“All the residents living in the aforementioned areas, especially those near the river banks are advised to be alert for possible flooding,” Pagasa said.
“It (La Mesa Dam overflowing) is one of the contributing factors to the floods in those areas,” Bernard Punzalan, public information office chief of Pagasa, told INQUIRER.net over the phone in Filipino.
Punzalan also noted that La Mesa dam does not have floodgates.
This means that the overflowing water of the dam already overflowed to Tullahan River the moment it exceeded the maximum capacity of 80.15 meters.