August 2011 Marikina River Water Level

Marikina River Water Level - Critical

Earlier today, August 2, 2011, TV Patrol roll on the news about the water level on Marikina river. It appears that the National Disaster and Coordinating Center or NDCC is closely monitoring the water level on Marikina river.

Residents living near Marikina River were evacuated when the second alarm was sounded off after the river’s water level rose to alarm level two - 16 meters.

Critical areas were identified, namely, Libis (Malanday), Balubad (Nangka), Tumana and other low lying areas besides the Marikina river.

Local authorities in Marikina City observe the following parameters in sounding alarms:

Alert Level 1: Water level from 15 to 16 meters - WARNING
Alert Level 2: Water level above 16 to 17 meters - PREPARE
Alert Level 3: Water level beyond 17 meters - EVACUATE

The first alarm was sounded off earlier this morning, August 2, 2011, when the water reached to 15.4 meters, according to Vic Samanian - Marikina City administrator.

Local authorities deployed more rescue equipment as they expect the river’s water level to rise further due to continuous rain falls.

UPDATE:

MANILA, Philippines – More than 200 families living near the Marikina River fled their homes and evacuated to nearby schools and gymnasiums after the river’s water level rose to 16 meters, close to its critical level of 18 meters.

According to the Marikina public information office, there are 156 families temporarily camped in Bulelak Gym in Barangay Malanday; 3 families in Malanday Elementary School; 51 families in H. Bautista Elementary School in Barangay Concepcion; and 2 families in Nanka Elementary School.

The voluntary evacuation by the residents was lauded by Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman, who said the residents may be allowed to return to their homes on Tuesday night.

“Nagpapasalamat nga kami sa Panginoon at parang nakikisama ang panahon. Siguro mamaya pauuwiin na rin namin sila,” said the mayor.

The city government had asked residents of Barangay Malanday, Tumana and Nangka to evacuate around 12 noon, before the water level even reached 16 meters.

“Natakot na kami dati sa ‘Ondoy’ kaya kusa na kaming lumikas,” said Lilibeth Balbona, one of the residents.

According to data compiled by the Marikina Rescue 161, an average of 3 millimeters per hour was recorded in Marikina.

The river’s water level reached a high of 16.9 meters around 2 p.m.

The swelling of the Marikina River stopped at around 4 p.m as the weather condition improved.

Evacuees are expected to return to their homes Tuesday night. -- Report from Jorge Cariño, ABS-CBN News