(A Reprint from the Philippine Daily Inquirer) Gov. Amado Espino Jr. directed local officials to conduct preemptive evacuation due to heavy rains and possible release of more water from San Roque Dam in San Manuel town.
Espino issued the order following a warning from Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo that intense rains were forecast to fall in La Union, Benguet and Pangasinan.
Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan said aside from the continuous heavy rains, the threat for towns and cities in eastern and central Pangasinan was the possible massive release of water from San Roque Dam.
At 1 p.m. Tuesday, the dam’s water elevation was 283.03 masl, 0.33 meter lower than its level of 283.36 masl recorded on Monday.
Binga Dam’s water level was recorded at 574.21 masl, or 0.79 meter from its maximum level of 575 masl.
Nine villages in Calasiao town were flooded while four villages in Dagupan City were under two to three feet of floodwater.
