Siren to warn Marikina residents of floods

To ensure the safety of residents living near the banks of the Marikina River during the rainy season, a siren has been installed near the area.

The alarm system was set up on Gil Fernando Bridge in Barangay Tumana, one of the worst-hit areas when Tropical Storm “Ondoy” struck the country in 2009.

“Since this area is among the lowest points in Marikina, the city government decided to install the siren to [warn] residents” when the water level of the river rises, Mayor Del de Guzman said Thursday.

The siren can be heard within a radius of 1.5 kilometers.

The Marikina Public Information Office, meanwhile, urged residents to take note of the following warning signals:

Short intermittent blasts that last for 30 seconds mean that Alert Level 1 has been hoisted over the area with the water in the river rising 15 meters above sea level.

Intermittent blasts that last for one minute mean that Alert Level 2 (16 meters above sea level) has been raised.

A continuous blast that lasts for five minutes signifies that Alert Level 3 (17 meters above sea level) is in effect.

A continuous uninterrupted blast that lasts for 10 minutes indicates that the river is at a critical level with the waters now 18 meters above sea level. At this point, a forced evacuation of residents in the area will be carried out.

“Alarm systems play a very important role in saving lives and [property] especially during [the] rainy season when communities near Marikina River are [at risk] …,” De Guzman said.