MANILA, Philippines – The water level at the Marikina River reached third alarm Wednesday morning due to the heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
Marikina City Rescue 161 in a Facebook post said the water level reached 18 meters at 10:00 a.m., which means the "forced evacuation" of residents living near low-lying areas.
The first alarm was raised at 5:30 a.m. as the water rose to 15 meters. The second alarm, or once water reaches 16 meters, was raised at 6:45 a.m.
The water level reached 20.2 meters at 2:20 p.m. maintaining its third alarm status.
As of 11:00 a.m., Typhoon Carina continues to intensify while heading towards Taiwan.
The weather bureau raised the red rainfall alert over Metro Manila at 5 a.m., warning of serious flooding.
In a radio interview, Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said rescue personnel have been pre-positioned since Tuesday.
He said the city’s 36 evacuation centers are ready for the forced evacuation.
— The Summit Express
