Marikina River breaches normal water level, first alarm raised

Marikina map. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The water level at Marikina River breached the 15-meter mark, prompting authorities to raise the first alarm to alert residents around it and in nearby low-lying areas to prepare for possible evacuation.

The warning comes after Super Typhoon Goring (international name: Saola), and the enhanced southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, brought heavy rains since early morning Thursday.

The Marikina City Public Information Office (PIO) said that  Marikina River’s water level reached 15.7 meters at 7 a.m. The river’s normal water level is below 15 meters.

READ: #WalangPasok: Class suspensions for August 31 due to Goring, southwest monsoon

According to the Marikina Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, a second alarm for the Marikina River means its water surpassed the 16-meter mark while a third alarm means it hit beyond 18 meters. A second alarm would also warrant the evacuation of nearby residents to temporary shelters, while a third would authorize forced evacuation.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Goring left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) at 7:50 p.m. on Wednesday, but it was still affecting the country as it still boosts the southwest monsoon.

Severe Tropical Storm Hanna (international name: Haikui), which entered the PAR at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, likewise enhances the southwest monsoon, Pagasa added. Hanna is forecast to dump rain and bring gusty conditions in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Aurora, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa (Mindoro Oriental & Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the northern portion of Eastern Visayas.

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