Magat, La Mesa Dam below spilling level so far

Magat Dam (Inquirer file photo/ Richard A. Reyes)

MANILA, Philippines — La Mesa Dam in Quezon City and Magat Dam in Isabela are still below their spilling levels amid expected rains in Luzon due to Tropical Storm Enteng (international name: Yagi), state meteorologists said on Tuesday.

However, Edgar Dela Cruz, weather specialist of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa),  did not rule out the possibility that the dams would eventually reach spilling level.

Pagasa earlier issued a heavy rainfall warning for Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon on Tuesday due to Enteng.

Dela Cruz said that, as of 8:00 a.m. Tuesday,  La Mesa Dam’s water level was 79.92 meters, about 0.23 meters away from its spilling level of 80.15 meters.

“This morning, the water level went down a bit, but we are not ruling out the possibility that it will reach the spilling level because we still expect rain,” Dela Cruz said in Filipino over radio dwPM.

On Monday, La Mesa Dam’s water level reached 80 meters.

Last July, La Mesa Dam overflowed after its water level reached 80.17 meters due to Typhoon Carina.

Also as of 8:00 a.m., Magat Dam’s water level was at 184.75 meters, or  5.25 meters away from its spilling level of 190 meters, according to Dela Cruz.

“Now, once we experience rainfall in Magat’s watershed, then that 190 meters [spilling level] may be reached.” he said.

As of this writing, Pagasa has hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 in six areas in Luzon and TCWS No. 1 in 11 other areas.