La Mesa Dam downgrades alert

As the La Mesa Dam water level reaches 88.30 meters, it automatically releases water when it reaches its overflow limit of 80.15 meters. The released water will add to the water level in the Tullahan River. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The authorities on Wednesday lowered the alert status at the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City from red to yellow as the water level at the reservoir continued to fall, Manila Water Co., which monitors the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa Dam Raw Water System, said.

As of 6 a.m., the water level at La Mesa eased to 79.57 meters, Manila Water corporate communications chief Jeric T. Sevilla said in a text message.

Sevilla explained earlier that officials of the water utility get concerned whenever the water level at La Mesa Dam breaches 79.40 meters.

“If levels go beyond 79.60, we declare red alert. Below 79.60, it is yellow alert,” he said.

A red alert was declared earlier amid heavy rains earlier this week around the reservoir, which is a spill dam, much like a giant infinity pool. The level at which water starts to overflow is 80.15 meters.

The excess water flows into the Tullahan River, which flows through the northern part of Quezon City, including the Fairview area, as well as the cities of Malabon, Valenzuela, and Caloocan. The river drains into Manila Bay.

As such, local government units or LGUs downstream of Tullahan River monitor the water levels in case households have to be evacuated due to expected flooding when La Mesa spills over amid heavy rains.