A surge of water overwhelmed the Sto. Cristo Dam on Friday, August 28, damaging portions of its retaining wall and slope protection. At least four houses were swept away as heavy monsoon rains triggered flooding and forced evacuations in downstream communities in Pampanga.
The National Irrigation Administration said the dam could not accommodate the large volume of water coming from upstream, causing water to overshoot and change course. The redirected flow damaged portions of the dam’s slope protection and retaining wall, according to NIA and the Pampanga provincial government.
Large amounts of forest and agricultural debris had also accumulated near some openings of the dam, potentially affecting the normal flow of water, officials said. The extent to which the debris contributed to the incident had not yet been established.
The Sto. Cristo Dam is located between Barangays Sto. Cristo and Sta. Rita.
Governor Lilia Pineda inspected the damaged portion Friday as engineers assessed the structure and monitored water coming downstream. She said authorities were also evaluating whether water levels could continue to rise as additional runoff came from mountainous areas.
Rescue and forced evacuation operations were underway in Barangay Sto. Cristo as floodwaters rose in vulnerable areas.
Lubao Mayor Esmie Pineda said responders had evacuated residents, including children and senior citizens. Efforts continue to reach those in danger zones. Electricity was also shut off in affected areas as a precaution.
‘Hindi ko pa mabilang yung laman ng truck kasi napuno yung isang dump truck. Pinapatay din namin ang kuryente,’ the mayor said in an interview. ‘Sabi ko hindi ko sila ini-encourage na mag-stay kasi wala din di ba baka lumaki pa.’
Pineda said rescue vehicles, personnel, and medical teams were on standby.
As of 10 a.m. Friday, 16 of Lubao’s 44 barangays had been affected by flooding, according to the Lubao Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Floodwaters reached up to 3 feet in Barangay Sta. Tereza.
The Lubao municipal government, provincial government, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Army, and Philippine Coast Guard assisted in the evacuation and rescue operations.
Three long-arm excavators from the Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, NIA, and the Department of Public Works and Highways were deployed to clear debris around the dam’s openings and help restore water flow.
Authorities continued to assess the extent of the damage and the condition of the Sto. Cristo Dam.
The governor also ordered preemptive and forced evacuations in high-risk and vulnerable areas across Pampanga amid the continuing heavy rains.
Flooding, road closures and landslide reported
Flooding and infrastructure damage were also reported in the City of San Fernando.
Residents of St. Jude Village in Barangay San Agustin were rescued and evacuated, according to the City of San Fernando information office. A bridge in Roseville, Barangay Telabastagan, was also reported damaged.
Flooding persisted into Friday night, with a video submitted by a resident showing water at the entrance of Vista Rica Subdivision near Our Lady of Sorrows Church along McArthur Highway in Barangay Dolores. Traffic also remained heavy in the area.
Meanwhile, in Angeles City, Mayor Jon Lazatin ordered the temporary closure of a portion of Abacan Diversion Road in Barangay Amsic as water from the river intermittently spilled onto the road.
Motorists were advised to take alternate routes while authorities monitored conditions.
Lazatin also advised motorists to avoid the bridge along Anunas-Cuayan Road while the City Engineer’s Office assessed the bridge approach.
A landslide was also reported in Purok 2 and Purok 3 in Barangay Anunas, prompting the deployment of a response team for assessment and safety checks. Affected families were evacuated to the Barangay Anunas Covered Court and Anunas Elementary School.
Pampanga remained under a red rainfall warning as of 8 a.m. Saturday, August 29, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Authorities continued rescue, evacuation, and monitoring operations across the province.