BREAK: Alarm raised in Marikina River anew due to heavy rains

MANILA, Philippines — Alarm was raised in Marikina River anew amid continuous rains due to southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by Severe Tropical Storm Enteng, the local government said early Wednesday morning.

Marikina Public Information Office raised the first alarm at 1 a.m. after the water reached 15 meters.

This developed as Metro Manila and four other areas saw heavy rainfall, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa)’s 12:15 a.m. report.

On Monday, the water level in Marikina River reached as high as the second alarm at 17 meters, but it later subsided.

READ: Marikina River on 2nd alarm as rains continue due to TS Enteng

Only when its waters reach the third alarm or 18 meters can the government enforce a forced evacuation.

A water level of 21.5 meters was last reached in 2009 during Typhoon Ondoy, according to Marikina mayor Marcelino Teodoro.

This is the highest ever water level recorded in the river’s history.

Marikina bore the brunt of Ondoy, which claimed more than 700 lives in Metro Manila and other regions back in September 26, 2009.

Also last July, the water level in Marikina River reached 20.7 meters due to heavy rains brought by Super Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon or habagat.