Marikina River water level gradually receding; 3rd alarm still up

Photo courtesy of Ardee Dizon, Emmanuel Vernard Corpuz via Marikina Filipino-Chinese Fire Brigade Volunteers/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — Water levels at the Marikina River have been gradually receding, although it is still at the third alarm as of Wednesday night, data from the Marikina City’s Public Information Office (Marikina PIO) showed.

Reports from Marikina PIO as of 10:00 p.m. of July 24 stated that water level at the river is at 19.0 meters — down from 19.5 meters last 9:00 p.m.; 19.4 meters at 9:10 p.m.; and 19.1 meters at 9:40 p.m.

READ: Metro Manila now under state of calamity due to Typhoon Carina

Residents of the city have been monitoring water levels at the river, since flooding usually follows when levels breach the critical level of 18.0 meters.

READ: Marikina River water level nears Ondoy threshold due to Carina

At 18.0 meters, the city enforces forced evacuation for residents.

READ: Marikina River update: 3rd alarm up; forced evacuation on

Rising water levels due to the southwest monsoon, as intensified by Super Typhoon Carina, were compared by local officials to what happened in 2009 when Typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila.

Earlier, at 4:40 p.m., the Marikina PIO said the water level reached 20.7 meters—moving near the 21.5 meter level when Ondoy brought torrential rains.

Despite water levels receding, classes at all levels and government work have been suspended in Marikina and the rest of Metro Manila, which has been placed under a state of calamity.