Marikina River under 1st alarm again amid boosted southwest monsoon

Marikina river level at 15 meters on September 5, 2024. | PHOTO: Photo screengrab from Marikina City Rescue livestream on Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina River was again placed under first alarm on Thursday morning as the southwest monsoon boosted by a typhoon already outside of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR)  continued to trigger rains in Metro Manila.

The Marikina Public Information Office (PIO) said the first alarm was raised as Marikina River’s water level hit 15.1 meters as of 11 a.m.

All floodgates of the Manggahan floodway have also been opened, the Marikina PIO added.

READ: La Mesa Dam spills more water as rains keep level above limit

The local government explained that Marikina River will automatically be placed under the first alarm if its water level reaches 15 meters; the second alarm if it hits 16 meters; and the third alarm if it rises to 18 meters.

A third alarm mandates the city government to impose mandatory evacuation of residents.

READ: Pagasa says new LPA may likely form east of Luzon, inside PAR

The state weather agency said Severe Tropical Storm Enteng (international name: Yagi) has intensified into a typhoon outside PAR, and its trough or extension continued to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms to parts of northern Luzon.

Enteng was likewise enhancing the southwest monsoon, locally termed habagat, which was forecast to cause rains in other parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.