Marikina River reaches critical level; forced evacuation in effect
A man (bottom) carries a piglet to higher ground as he wades through a flooded street in San Mateo, Rizal, east of Manila on Aug. 13. Floods inundated major thoroughfares in the capital late on Aug. 12, after heavy rains brought about by southwest moonson. AFP
The Marikina government on Saturday afternoon raised alert level four or critical level over the Marikina River amid heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon.
As of 4:17 p.m., the Marikina Public Information Office said the water level at Marikina River went up to 18 meters with all eight floodgates open.
Alert level four or the critical level or at least 18 meters above sea level calls for “forced evacuation.”
Alert level one means at least 15 meters above sea level; two, there is at least 16 meters above sea level which calls for “preparedness;” three is 17 meters above sea level and calls for “evacuation.”
The water level reached alert level 1 at 11:37 a.m., alert level 2 at 1:38 p.m., and alert level three at 2:40 p.m.
The La Mesa Dam in Quezon City was also placed in red alert on Saturday noon due to continuous rains, as the local government advised residents to evacuate the Tullahan River area.
