MANILA, July 12 (PNA) — Malacanang advised Metro Manila residents and nearby provinces on Sunday to continue to monitor weather forecasts and to be wary of threat of dam overflow.
“Tayo pong naninirahan dito sa National Capital Region at mga kalapit na rehiyon, mostly po sa Luzon, ay patuloy na dumaranas ng pabugso-bugsong pag-ulan — bunsod po ito ng habagat — at patuloy din po ‘yung ginagawang pagtututok ng ating National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
“Antabayanan (din) po natin ang mga rainfall, thunderstorm, at iba pang weather advisory ng PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration),” he added.
As the increment weather continues, the threat of a dam overflow is still a possibility.
“Doon naman po sa mga lugar na mayroong banta ng pag-overflow ng ating mga dam, antabayanan din po ang advice ng ating mga local DRRMC para kung kinakailangan po ay lumikas, pero huwag naman po tayong maaalarma dahil patuloy naman pong tinututukan. Magkakaroon ng sapat na panahon ang pag-abiso kung kinakailangan ito,” said Coloma.
According to PAGASA Weather Advisory No. 5, issued at 11 a.m. Sunday, “The southwest monsoon or habagat is expected to bring monsoon rains over the provinces of Zambales and Pangasinan. Residents in these areas are advised to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.”
Last Friday, La Mesa Dam manager Teddy Angeles warned the public that there was still a chance that the dam might overflow due to the continuous rains.
As of 11 a.m. last Saturday, the water level in the dam was at 79.78 meters, which was still considered at the critical level. (PNA)