Wawa and La Mesa Dams Overflow, Flooding Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Continuous and heavy rainfall from the southwest monsoon has submerged large portions of Metro Manila, forcing the Wawa and La Mesa Dams to overflow and prompting a red alert in Pasig City.

The relentless downpour, which began over the weekend, turned major thoroughfares into virtual rivers. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that 44 national road sections in eight cities were flooded, with some areas of Araneta Avenue in Quezon City becoming impassable to all vehicles. Other major roads, including España Boulevard, Roxas Boulevard, and Taft Avenue, were also heavily affected, although some remained accessible to larger vehicles.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) confirmed that both the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City and the newly constructed Wawa Dam in Rizal had reached their spilling levels by Monday afternoon, July 21, 2025. The overflow from La Mesa Dam is expected to worsen flooding in low-lying areas along the Tullahan River.

Meanwhile, the P17-billion Wawa Dam, a project led by tycoon Enrique K. Razon Jr.’s Prime Infrastructure Capital, was put to its first major test. While social media videos showed the dam effectively mitigating flooding in Pasig, Marikina, and Cainta, the sheer volume of rainfall from the persistent monsoon eventually led to its overflow.

In response to the rising water levels, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto declared a red alert on Monday. The Upper Wawa Dam’s water level reached a critical 135.58 meters by 3:00 p.m., prompting the city to coordinate with barangays along the floodway, such as Santolan and Sta. Lucia, to prepare for potential evacuations.

PAGASA has warned that the southwest monsoon will continue to bring heavy rains to Luzon until at least Tuesday. Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to remain vigilant and heed the warnings of local authorities. The DPWH has deployed Quick Response Teams to clear clogged drainage systems and assist stranded motorists.