Thousands flee homes in Rizal due to floods, rising Marikina river

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — More than 1,500 families in Rizal province evacuated from their homes Monday due to flood and a possible overflow of the Marikina River, according to the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).

The continuous rain flooded the towns of San Mateo where 111 families were evacuated and Cainta wherein 10 families left their homes as of 10 a.m.

In Rodriguez town, 1,466 families (7,330 persons) from four villages were evacuated to public schools and covered courts at around 5 a.m. on Monday.

The evacuees were from Barangay (village) Burgos–1050 families; Barangay Rosario–76 families; Barangay Manggahan–243 families; and Barangay San Jose–97 families.

DRRMC Regional Director Vicente Tomazar said they implemented a forced evacuation after the water level in the Marikina River rose to more than 20 meters between 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. or at the height of the continuous rain.

He said the normal level in the Marikina river is below 18 meters.

As of 11 a.m., the water in the river began to recede although the residents remained at the evacuation centers, Tomazar said.

Rodriguez Mayor Cecilio Hernandez ordered the suspension of classes in all levels. Disaster authorities and non government organizations also started distributing relief packages at the evacuation centers.