Marikina River remains at first alarm, water level now at 15.5 meters

First alarm remains over Marikina River as its water level reached 15.5 meters amid the heavy rainfall brought about by Severe Tropical Storm Florita, Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro said Tuesday evening.

“Sa kasalukuyan, naka-first alarm tayo. Ibig sabihin lumagpas na ang water level ng Marikina River ng 15 meters. Nasa 15.5 meters na kaya naka-alert na tayo,” said Teodoro in an interview on dzBB’s Super Radyo.

(We’re at the first alarm as of the moment. This means the water level in the Marikina River is above 15 meters. It is now 15.5 meters, that's why we’re on alert.)

The city government raised the alarm at 5:43 p.m. after the water level at the river went up by 15.2 meters. All eight gates are currently open.

In a "24 Oras report," residents have stayed on alert in case of a need to evacuate.

The storm brought back memories during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses in November 2020, which raised the Marikina River water level to its highest, submerging parts of the city.

An incident command center has been set up near to monitor the possible rise of water in low-lying areas of the city.

Food packs and evacuation centers are also ready in case needed.

Marikina River alarm

First alarm is issued when the Marikina River breaches 15 meters; second alarm if 16 meters and third alarm if it climbs to 18 meters.

Teodoro said the Marikina City government had already prepared evacuation centers and rescue equipment should the situation call for preemptive or forced evacuation.

As of around 8 p.m., he said around 41 families or 176 individuals are now staying in Nangka Elementary School and H. Bautista Elementary School after they opted to evacuate their homes amid the torrential rains.

No flooding was recorded in any part of the city, the mayor added.

“Open na ang 40 evacuation centers, may mga prepositioned na rescue boats at personnel at volunteers para kung kakailanganin ng preemptive o force evacuation ay maisasagawa nating ng maayos na ayon sa health protocols,” Teodoro said.

(We have already opened 40 evacuation centers. We also prepositioned rescue boats, personnel and volunteers so in case we need to conduct a preemptive or forced evacuation, we can do it while adhering to health protocols.)

“Ang mga barangay natin ngayon ay nakahanda na, naka-alerto sila kanina pang tanghali ng araw na ito buhat ng tinaas ang yellow warning. Kaya nga pati ang klase sa pampubliko at pribadong paaralan sa lahat ng lebel ganoon din sa mga opisina ng gobyerno at dun sa mga pribado, discretion ng management nila ay wala na pong pasok kanina hanggang bukas po bilang pag-iingat din natin,” he added.

(Our barangays are also ready. They were on alert as early this afternoon when a yellow warning was issued. Work in government offices and classes in public and private schools at all levels were also suspended starting today until tomorrow as part of the safety measures. In terms of private offices, it is under the jurisdiction of their management.)

Further, Teodoro said the local government is also monitoring the situation in Antipolo, San Mateo, and Montalban in Rizal as the amount of rainfall in these areas affects the Marikina River.

“Tuloy-tuloy namin binabanatayan hindi lang ‘yung pag-ulan sa Marikina pero sa lahat pati sa upstream area…Dahil maaaring walang malakas na pag-ulan sa Marikina pero kung malakas ang pag-ulan sa karatig na lugar lalo na sa kabundukan, nakakaapekto ito sa Marikina River,” he said.

(We’re also monitoring the rainfall in upstream areas. Because the rainfall in these areas, especially in mountainous parts, affects the Marikina river.)

“Mino-monitor natin ‘yung rainfall counters. Mayroon tayong limang monitoring area na nasa taas ng Marikina River na mino-monitor natin. Sa ngayon, maganda naman ‘yung report dahil single digit yung rainfall na nararanasan natin dyan,” he added.

(We’re monitoring five rainfall counters above the Marikina river. As of now, the report was okay since the rainfall is only at a single digit.)

Based on the PAGASA’s latest bulletin, four areas are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 due to Florita. These are the northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan, the southwestern portion of Babuyan Islands, the northern and central portions of Apayao, and the province of Ilocos Norte. -- With Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA News