Thousands evacuated as La Mesa Dam, Marikina River water level rise

MANILA, Philippines — The rise in water level in the La Mesa Dam and Marikina River resulted in the evacuation of thousands of families, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) reported. 

As of 11:00 a.m., La Mesa Dam remains under red alert as its water level reached 80.07 meters (m), only 8 centimeters away from its overflow level of 80.15m. Due to this, enforced evacuation was recommended.

As early as Saturday afternoon when La Mesa Dam reached 79.62m, residents who live along the Tullahan River were asked to evacuate.

Quezon City government on Saturday called for a preemptive evacuation to avoid casualties in the city. According to the STAR, the areas to be affected when La Mesa Dam overflows are Tullahan River, Cities of Quezon, Malabon and Valenzuela.

QUEZON CITY | Pre-emptive evacuation: 11 evacuation centers with 225 families/1,103 individuals #FloodPH pic.twitter.com/Fiir5IDjcj

— Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross) August 13, 2016

Meanwhile, as of 12:04 p.m., Marikina river’s water level rose to 16.4 m. Eight floodgates which include Mangahan, Pasig City leading to Laguna lake were opened to accommodate the volume of the river’s water.

#MarikinaRiver Water level UP to 16.3 meters as of 11:05 a.m.
ALL 8 floodgates open.

— Marikina PIO (@MarikinaPIO) August 14, 2016

Likewise, Marikina City residents were advised to evacuate. As of 9:15 a.m., 2,807 families or 10,561 individuals were evacuated.

“The Marikina City Social Welfare and Development Office and City Health Office have been providing meals and water as well as medical services to the evacuees since 6PM last night,” a PIA report read.

RELATED: LIVE List: Flooded areas in Metro Manila, August 14