A resident rides an old refrigerator to avoid a flooded street caused by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Yagi, locally called Enteng, on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Cainta, Rizal province, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday directed government agencies to monitor dams and prepare for possible flooding amid the heavy rainfall caused by Severe Tropical Storm Enteng.
Marcos made the pronouncement after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that parts of the country may still experience torrential rain even if Enteng has already left the Philippine area of responsibility.
“Yan ang babantayan natin (that’s what we have to monitor). Although Enteng is still dropping rainfall, this is another aspect of the flood control that we have to deal with,” Marcos said during a situation briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) headquarters.
“We might have to deal with it kung patuloy pa rin ang pag-ulan na mabigat ay kailangan, baka mapilitan tayo, na magbitaw ng tubig, so let’s watch that closely,” he added.
(We might have to deal with it if the heavy rains continue. We might be forced to release water, so let’s watch that closely.)
According to Pagasa Deputy Administrator Marcelino Villafuerte, the operator of Ipo Dam had already opened one of its washout gates in Bulacan at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
The areas expected to be affected include the Bulacan municipalities of Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Calumpit, Paombong, and Hagonoy.
Villafuerte also said the Isabela municipalities of Ramon, San Mateo, Alfonso, Cabatuan, Luna, Aurora, and Burgos are expected to be affected if the Magat Dam overflows.
READ: Flood warning up as Pagasa reports La Mesa Dam breaches limit
Meanwhile, the water level in La Mesa Dam was at 80.20 meters, higher than its overflow level of 80.15 meters. It is expected to affect areas along the Tullahan River in Quezon City, Valenzuela City, and Malabon City.