Brace for more heavy rains, flooding due to 'habagat'

Heavy to intense rains (100-200 millimeters) are expected in Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro as a lowpressure area (LPA) has formed east of Luzon, while the southwest monsoon (habagat) continues to bring persistent rains across large parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday, July 21.

- By ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Moderate to heavy rains will continue in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.

On Wednesday, July 23, heavy to intense rainfall is expected to persist in Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.

Moderate to heavy rains will prevail in Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Aklan, and Antique.

3 dams release water

With the heavy rains dumped by Severe Tropical Storm 'Crising' and the southwest monsoon (habagat), three major dams in Luzon released water on Sunday due to rising water levels, PAGASA said.

As of 8 a.m., Ipo Dam in Bulacan had a water level of 100.50 meters, up from 100.42 meters the previous day.

The dam's spilling level is 101 meters. PAGASA said one gate was opened to regulate the water flow.

In Benguet, Ambuklao Dam's Zwater level rose to 751.78 meters from 749.77 meters, just below its 752-meter spilling level. One gate was also opened.

Binga Dam, also in Benguet, increased its water release by opening two gates, up from one gate the previous day, after its water level rose to 574.43 meters from 573.05 meters. Its spilling level is 575 meters.

La Mesa Dam overflows

La Mesa Dam in Quezon City overflowed at 3 p.m. on Monday, after its water reached the spilling level of 80.15 meters due to heavy rainfall brought by the southwest monsoon.

PAGASA had issued warnings about rising water levels since Saturday, July 19.

Starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, the dam's water level rose from 79.69 meters to 80.16 meters by 3 p.m.

Since La Mesa Dam lacks gates to control excess water, any level above 80.15 meters results in automatic overflow.