Heavy rains damage Pampanga dam

LUBAO, Pampanga, Philippines — The provincial government of Pampanga ordered a mass evacuation of residents living in danger zones after heavy rain spawned by the southwest monsoon caused damage to the Sta. Rita Dam in this town.

Gov. Lilia Pineda issued the order after the dam failed to contain the water, triggering flooding in several areas.

The National Irrigation Administration said a huge volume of water came rushing down from upstreams.

The surge caused water to overshoot and reroute, damaging portions of the dam’s slope protection and retaining wall.

Authorities found forest and agricultural debris clogging openings of the dikes, hampering the flow of water.

Four houses were reported destroyed in the incident.

Members of the municipal disaster office along with police, firefighters, soldiers and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard transported residents to evacuation centers. 

Authorities placed sandbags on the damaged portions of the dam.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronimical Services Administration had raised a red rainfall alert over the province, noting that heavy rains may continue until Monday.