(PNA file photo)
MANILA – Expected rain this weekend may easily raise the water level at the downstream portion of the Tullahan River, a major Metro Manila waterway.
Communities near the river must be alert as Tullahan's downstream portion easily reacts to rainfall, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hydrologist Ailene Abelardo said on Friday.
"That portion is narrow," Abelardo said, adding that the river’s water level may also rise due to continuous rain earlier this week.
Tullahan’s water level has lowered but may rise again if the southwest monsoon or "habagat" and even thunderstorms continue to dump rain in Metro Manila.
On Friday, PAGASA said the "habagat" will continue to bring cloudy skies until Sunday, with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, the Ilocos and Cordillera regions, as well as the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, and Mindoro Island.
Beginning at the La Mesa reservoir in Quezon City, the Tullahan River cuts through Metro Manila before discharging into Manila Bay.
According to PAGASA, La Mesa's 6 a.m. water level on Friday was at 78.48 meters, or 1.67 meters lower than the spilling or normal high level of this dam.
However, the water level in La Mesa will unlikely rise significantly and spill into the Tullahan River this weekend as the expected rainfall there may be insufficient to trigger such event, Abelardo said.
The Tullahan River is among the waterways the government and its partners are cleaning to help improve its water flow and carrying capacity.
The clean-up is also part of Manila Bay's rehabilitation. (PNA)
