Manggahan floodway. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – All floodgates at the Manggahan Floodway System were opened Saturday afternoon to prevent the further swelling of the Marikina River, a Metropolitan Manila Metrobase-Flood Control Unit official said.
Ed Garcia said all eight gates of the artificially constructed waterway were opened at 1:42 p.m., but added that the first gate has been opened since Friday to “divert the water of Laguna de Bay.”
“Paunti-unting pinabuksan mga gates [The gates were opened gradually] based on the need to,” Garcia said.
As of 12 noon, Garcia said the water level in Marikina River has reached first alarm, a signal to the residents to prepare for evacuation.
The state weather bureau said heavy rains in Metro Manila spawned by tropical depression “Ferdie.” Jamie Marie Elona