La Mesa Dam spills more water as rains keep level above limit

FILE PHOTO: The Intake 4 structure in La Mesa Dam can bring 1,000 million liters of water daily from La Mesa Dam to the Balara Treatment Plant in Quezon City. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — La Mesa Dam continued to discharge water as its level remained above its limits amid persistent rains.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the dam’s water level stood at 80.17 meters as of 6 a.m. on Thursday. Its overflow cap is 80.15 meters.

Pagasa explained that the La Mesa Dam overflows automatically once the spilling level is reached because it does not have floodgates.

READ: Flood warning up as Pagasa reports La Mesa Dam breaches limit

The reservoir’s overflow goes to the Tullahan River and threatens low-lying areas in Quezon City, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and  Valenzuela.

According to Pagasa, the continued dam spill means “road/street flooding is still possible” in Metro Manila cities on Thursday, especially since heavy rains are still expected in the capital region and nearby towns due to the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, that was being enhanced by Severe Tropical Storm Enteng (international name: Yagi), which is now outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

The dam’s water level surpassed its spilling level since Wednesday when it reached 80.20 meters.