Marikina’s rescue teams on standby despite manageable Marikina River water levels

MANILA, Philippines – Rescue teams of Marikina City’s local government remain on standby on Friday evening for possible evacuation efforts, even as the Marikina River’s water levels are still at a manageable point.

According to updates from Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, rains brought by Severe Tropical Storm Ambo has brought the river’s water levels to 11.8 meters, although it is still far from the critical levels.

Still, he said that gates of the Manggahan Floodway have been opened to prevent drastic increases especially since the river’s water has risen by nearly a meter in just an hour.

“Mayor Marcy said that as of 5:40 pm the water level of the Marikina River is now at 11.8 meters which is still manageable.  In a matter of an hour, Mayor Marcy said, the Marikina River water level went up by almost a meter from 11 meters to 11.8 meters,” Marikina’s Public Information Office said.

“Mayor Marcy is now closely monitoring on the ground to ensure the safety of his constituents.  He also said all rescue personnel are now on alert and deployed in strategic areas in the city,” they added.

Latest forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration showed that Ambo has slightly weakened after making landfall, now packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 140 kph.

It was last seen 40 kilometers south of Infanta, Quezon, moving northwestward at a speed of 20 kph.

Marikina, which sits beside the mountainous area of San Mateo and Antipolo in Rizal, has been known as a catch basin for rainwaters that flow from tributaries unto the Marikina River.

In the past, the city has experienced several disasters due to massive flooding, most notable of which was when Typhoon “Ondoy” brought a month’s worth of rain showers in just three days.  More than 70 residents died after whole communities were submerged in deep floodwaters.

Teodoro said that they are crafting protocols where physical distancing and other hygienic measures are maintained in case of evacuation, to prevent local transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although the city has the slowest local transmissions in Metro Manila, it may be all for naught if evacuated residents get infected while staying in cramped evacuation centers.

“The mayor also said they have existing protocols for typhoon but with the COVID-19 pandemic, new protocols will be imposed in evacuation centers in case residents will be evacuated, saying social distancing and other safety measures will be strictly implemented,” Marikina PIO added.

Marikina has 146 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Friday, 20 of which have died while 56 have recovered.  In the Philippines, the Department of Health said on Friday that there are now 12,091 cases with 806 deaths and 2,460 recoveries.