Wet Wednesday due to 'habagat'; La Mesa Dam overflows

By Ma. Cristina Arayata

August 28, 2024, 8:07 am Updated on August 28, 2024, 11:40 am

<p><em>(PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler)</em></p>

(PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler)

MANILA – The southwest monsoon (habagat) continues to bring rains across Luzon and the Visayas, causing La Mesa Dam to overflow, the weather bureau said Wednesday.

The water level at La Mesa Dam as of 5 a.m. reached 80.16 meters, breaching its spilling level of 80.15 meters.

Low-lying areas along the Tullahan River (Fairview, Forest Hills Subd., Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria, and San Bartolome). Valenzuela (Brgy. Ligon, North Expressway, La Huerta Subd.) and Malabon are expected to be affected.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) urged residents of those areas to be alert against further increases in water levels along the Tullahan River.

PAGASA expects Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, and Antique to experience occasional rains due to "habagat".

"Habagat" will also cause scattered rains and thunderstorms across La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Bicol Region, and the rest of the Visayas, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa.

Localized thunderstorms, on the other hand, will bring isolated rain showers over the rest of the country.

Light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas continue to prevail across the archipelago, PAGASA said.

Number coding suspended, some roads flooded

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also suspended the implementation of the number coding scheme for Wednesday, after Malacañang’s order suspending work in government offices and classes at all levels in the region due to bad weather.

This means vehicles with number plates ending in 5 and 6 can traverse Metro Manila roads.

Meanwhile, 12 road sections in Metro Manila are flooded due to the heavy rains, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

Based on the situation report of the DPWH - National Capital Region (NCR) as of 10 a.m., the following roads are flooded but remain passable to all types of vehicles:

-- Bonifacio Drive, P. Burgos Street, to 25th Street (10 cm. deep)
-- Gov. T. Santiago Street, Barangay Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City, MacArthur Highway to Villaflor Subdivision (3 cm. deep)
-- C. Arellano Street, Paez Street to Sacristia Street (10 cm. deep)
-- MH Del Pilar Street, corner E. Rodriguez Street (15 cm. deep)
-- MH Del Pilar Street, Yanga Street to Vicente Village (10 cm. deep)
-- P. Aquino Street, Sanciangco Street to Everlasting Peace Memorial Park (15 cm. deep)
-- Gov. W. Pascual Avenue, corner Maria Clara Street (5 cm. deep)
-- MH Del Pilar Street, Buenaventura Street to Arkong Bato (15 cm. deep)
-- Don Basilio Bautista Boulevard., Dampalit Bridge to JCT Women’s Club (15 cm. deep)
-- P. Aquino Street, Gen Luna Street Intersection (15 cm. deep)
-- JCT Womens Club, Flores Street to Naval Street (5 cm. deep)
-- Gov. W. Pascual Ave., Sitio 6 to Sanciangco Street (10 cm. deep)

The DPWH-NCR immediately deployed a maintenance crew to de-clog canals and waterways, clear roads, and monitor the situation.

It added that floods in these areas may subside within the next few hours. (with Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)

Comments