Flooding threatens residents along Laguna de Bay—DPWH

Torrential rains pounding the Philippine capital on Tuesday paralyzed traffic as waist-deep floods triggered evacuations of tens of thousands of residents and the government suspended work in offices and schools.AP/John Javellana

MANILA, Philippines—Residents of several towns around Laguna De Bay have to prepare for possible evacuation due to rising waters of the lake brought by week-long rains.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson gave the warning during the high-level meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) presided by President Aquino on Tuesday morning.

Singson said they have been monitoring the water level of Laguna De Bay and said the level had risen to 13.30 meters as of Tuesday morning.

During the deluge unleashed by storm Ondoy in 2009, the lake’s water level rose to 13.85 meters, he said.

“Our worry is that since this morning the level continues to rise. At this rate we estimate it would flood several towns,” Singson said.

“The water level there is really high now so we should monitor that,” he added.

Among the towns he said would be affected by flooding are Angono, Baras and Morong in Rizal province; and Mabitac, Lumban, Sta. Cruz. Pila and Victoria and parts of Cabuyao and San Pedro in Laguna province.

There is also the Talim Island within the Laguna De Bay.

Singson said once the lake’s water level rises, the flooding would last for some time “as long as two months.”

“They will need a lot of support especially those in the low-lying areas,” he said