Rescuers looking for man swept away in San Juan River

Rescuers are looking for a man who was swept away in the San Juan River amid the heavy rains caused by the Habagat enhanced by Super Typhoon Carina. 

According to Joseph Morong’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, Bureau of Fire Protection personnel spotted the man holding on to a tree and tried to throw a life vest at him. 

He, however, disappeared due to the strong current of the water. 

“Maabutan na talaga namin. Bumitaw siya sa puno,” said SFO3 Alvin Velasco of BFP San Juan. “Hindi natin alam sa lakas siguro ng agos.” 

(We were about to reach him out, but he let go himself from the tree…We don’t know what happened to him because of the strong current.) 

Further, the report also said that the San Juan River is already overflowing at the boundary of San Juan and Sta. Mesa, Manila. 

The water level at the river is already at 14.65 meters, which is beyond its normal level of 13 meters. 

City residents have already evacuated along with their things and pets. 

The BFP also rescued trapped residents because the nearby stream in Barangay San Perfecto was overflowing as well. 

There are over 1,000 residents or more than 200 families currently seeking shelter in San Juan Gym, where they were provided with food and clothing. 

The Metro Manila Council earlier placed the National Capital Region in a state of calamity. —Celine Serquiña/NB, GMA Integrated News