Big One Earthquake: The Dangers Ahead If Angat Dam Collapse

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) already released the detailed and updated maps of the areas that could be affected by an earthquake once the West Valley Fault moves. Numerous drills and preparations were already taking place in various areas affected by the earthquake dubbed as the “Big One.”

Despite all the preparations made by various Local Government Units and the National Government, one of the most dangerous event that many Filipinos feared especially those who were living in the areas of Metro Manila, Bulacan and Pampanga is the possible collapse of the Angat Dam.

In a news report posted by local newspaper Balita.ph, the estimated 7.8 magnitude earthquake that could possibly hit the Philippines will caused substantial damage to the 47-year-old Angat Dam which is located on top of the West Valley Fault.

After PHIVOLCS released the updated maps of the West Valley Fault, Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado immediately investigates on the updates of the Angat Dam rehabilitation and what are the possible scenarios if the dam collapse due to an earthquake.

The Governor was quoted as saying in an interview: “The destruction it will cause is unimaginable specially if the 47-year-old Angat Dam will collapse because not only the province of Bulacan will be wiped out but also big parts of Pampanga and Metro Manila.” the governor stated.

The Province of Bulacan through Governor Alvarado who appealed to the national government for so many times, urged his constituents to prepared for the worst possible scenario. The dangers brought about by the possible collapsed of Angat Dam is really catastrophic.

Once again, the Governor of Bulacan called on the attention of the national government, to send engineers and experts to encourage new owners to Angat Dam immediately begin retrofitting and construction of additional spillway for strengthening the Angat Dam.

According to experts, the magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook Metro Manila feared, the movement of the active West Valley Fault, may ikasawi more than 37,000 people estimated at 148,000 and the vulnerable in the affected areas.