Marikina River water level now back to normal

The water level of Marikina River went back to normal on Saturday morning after the first alarm was raised before dawn.

At 6 a.m., the water level was at 14.6 meters, according to the Marikina City Public Information Office, Luisito Santos reported on Dobol B TV.

All floodgates were open, it added.

At 2 a.m. on Saturday, the water level of the river reached 15.1 meters, prompting authorities to raise the first alarm.

The first alarm, which is raised when the water reaches 15 meters above sea level, means residents should "prepare".

The second alarm is sounded when the water reaches 16 meters, and this means residents should "evacuate".

Meanwhile, the third alarm is hoisted when the water reaches 18 meters, and this calls for "forced evacuation."

PAGASA said the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) is being enhanced on Saturday by Typhoon Hanna (international name: Haikui) and two other tropical cyclones which are outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The monsoon will bring occasional to monsoon rains over the western portion of Luzon in the next three days. —KG, GMA Integrated News