Marikina River water level again rises

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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The water level of the Marikina River started to rise again late Sunday afternoon, August 12, after going down earlier in the day.

As of 9 pm on Sunday, the Marikina City Public Information Office (PIO) said the water level went up to 17.7 meters, classified under 2nd alarm. It stayed at that level as of 10 pm, and also as of 11 pm.

The city follows a 3-stage alarm level system for the Marikina River:

• 1st alarm (prepare) – water 15 meters above sea level
• 2nd alarm (evacuate) – water 16 meters above sea level
• 3rd alarm (forced evacuation) – water 18 meters above sea level

On Saturday, August 11, the Marikina River had reached a high of 20.6 meters at 9:58 pm, or 3rd alarm, forcing thousands of Marikina City residents to evacuate. (LOOK: How Marikina shelters evacuees)

Heavy rain from the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat enhanced by Tropical Storm Karding (Yagi) had led to the rise in the water level.

The water earlier started going down on Saturday:

• 20.4 meters at 10:30 pm
• 20.3 meters at 11:52 pm

Then further went down on Sunday:

• 20 meters at 1:16 am
• 19.9 meters at 2 am
• 19.7 meters at 3 am
• 19.5 meters at 3:51 am
• 18.8 meters at 5:08 am
• 18.4 meters at 6 am
• 17.9 meters at 7 am
• 17.4 meters at 8 am
• 16.9 meters at 9 am
• 16.8 meters at 10 am
• 16.5 meters at 11 am and noon
• 16.1 meters at 12:15 pm
• 16 meters at 2 pm and 3:35 pm

Before rising again also on Sunday:

• 16.3 meters at 5:15 pm
• 16.7 meters at 6:15 pm
• 17.1 meters at 7:15 pm
• 17.3 meters at 7:45 pm
• 17.5 meters at 8:30 pm
• 17.7 meters at 9 pm, 10 pm, and 11 pm

Around 11:30 am on Sunday, the Marikina PIO had said all primary and secondary roads in the city are now passable, except for the following:

• Marikina Bridge underloop
• Marcos Bridge underloop

The city government earlier gave tips for those who are trapped or in need of rescue.

Relief efforts are also being conducted for residents of areas affected by the southwest monsoon.

Classes in all levels in Marikina City, both public and private, have been suspended for Monday. (READ: #WalangPasok: Class suspensions, Monday, August 13) – Rappler.com