Roxas warns of more rains and severe floods; Ipo and La Mesa dams reach critical levels

Courtesy PAGASA DOST
Courtesy PAGASA DOST

MANILA, Philippines (ENS) — Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said the heavy rains in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan and Laguna which have been placed under “red” rainfall warning would continue for the next few hours as tropical storm “Mario” continued to dump heavy rains.

“Mario” had affected monsoon rains.  PAGASA said the combined effect of Southwest Monsoon and TS “MARIO” will bring moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms in Bicol Region and Eastern and Central Visayas which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

As this developed, the La Mesa dam has already reached the spilling level of 80.15 meters.  Ipo Dam has aso breached the critical level of 101 meters.  As of 9 a.m., the water level in Ipo Dam has already reached 101.58 meters.

Roxas warned that all local officials concerned should be ready, as this would contribute to the already problematic flooding being experienced in Metro Manila because of the heavy rains.

Roxas is leading the meeting at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on the effects of tropical storm “Mario”.  (Eagle News Service)