First alarm up over Marikina River

Authorities raised the first alarm over Marikina River before dawn on Sunday as the water level reached the 15-meter mark.

At 3:35 a.m., the local government unit raised the first alarm.

All eight gates of the Manggahan Floodway were opened.

As more rains from the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) poured over Metro Manila, the water level at Marikina River continued to go up.

At 7 a.m., the water level was at 15.5 meters.

At 3 p.m., the water was still at 15.5 meters.

First alarm (15 meters) means "warning" in the city's alarm system for Marikina River.

The second alarm (16 meters) means "prepare", while the third alarm (17 meters) means "evacuate."

On Saturday, authorities raised the second alarm as the water level in the river went up. More than 3,000 families living near the riverbank and low-lying areas were evacuated.

The water level however went down to normal level within the day.

PAGASA said moderate to heavy rains from the Southwest Monsoon are to be expected in Metro Manila on Sunday. —KG, GMA News