Marikina river continues to swell; 200 residents evacuated

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 200 persons were evacuated to safer grounds as water levels in Marikina river continued to swell Sunday night.

As of 10 p.m., there were 23 families or 113 persons evacuated in Bulelak gym, Marikina’s public information office said.

At Nangka Elementary School, there were 12 families or 53 persons evacuated.

At Concepcion Elementary School, there were two families or five persons evacuated, while H. Bautista Elementary School housed four families or 13 persons.

As of 10:37 p.m., water level in Marikina river was at alarm level two, or 16 meters.

Alarm level one means at least 15 meters above sea level. In alarm level two, there is at least 16 meters above sea level which calls for “preparedness;” alarm level three is 17 meters above sea level and calls for “evacuation;” while critical level or at least 18 meters above sea level calls for “forced evacuation.”

All eight floodgates of Rosario Weir in Pasig City were opened to due to rising waters in Marikina river.

Classes in Marikina were also suspended Monday in all levels, both public and private.