12,000 evacuees packed in Marikina schools, gyms

A RIVER THREATENS A view of the Marikina River as its water level is reduced from the critical 19 meters to 18.9 meters amid the heavy rains induced by tropical storm “Maring” for the second straight day Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013. The city government evacuated thousands of residents around the area as the river threatened to overflow due to continuous rains induced by tropical storm “Maring”. JULLIANE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Some 12,000 people have been housed in evacuation centers as Marikina River reached its critical level of 18 meters due to torrential rains brought by the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon.

The Marikina public information office listed the breakdown of evacuees:

H. Bautista Elementary School – 519 Families / 2,630 Persons (12:22 p.m.)

Filipinas Village Basketball Court – 117 Families / 606 Persons (1:50 p.m.)

Concepcion Integrated School – 25 Families / 153 Persons (10:40 a.m.)

Nangka Elementary School – 770 Families / 2,600 Persons (1:23 p.m.)

Libis Bulelak Gym-149 Families/755 Persons (11:40 a.m.)

Malanday Elementary School-400 Families /4,200 Persons (2:30 p.m.)

Sto Niño Elementary School-28 Families/ 105 Persons (1:25 p.m.)

Sampaguita Village, Malanday-131Families/ 667Persons (1:50 p.m.)

Baranggay (village) Multi Purpose Hall (Brgy. Dela Peña)-14Families/ 54Persons (2:23 p.m.)

Fairlane Gym-100 Families

In an interview with state-run television PTV4, Vice Mayor Jose Fabian Cadiz emphasized the need to evacuate as waters are still expected to rise.

He said that they were prepared for the evacuation, as they have been regularly conducting evacuation drills.

“We purchased assets to be used for evacuation and early warning system,” he said.

“We have seven sirens installed along the stretch of Marikina River that will ring alarm to alert the public whenever the need for evacuation arises,” he added.

Forced evacuation was implemented as 18 meters or critical level was recorded at 2:45 p.m.