Marikina River nears First Alarm status amid heavy rains

The water level at the Marikina River was raised to First Alarm status early Wednesday morning but dropped below normal levels by 7 a.m., prompting authorities to lift the alarm initially.

However, heavy rains from Tropical Storm Enteng and the enhanced southwest monsoon caused the river's water level to rise again, reaching just a few centimeters away from the first alarm level by 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday evening.

The Marikina City disaster response office urged residents to stay alert as the southwest monsoon continues to dump rain over Metro Manila and La Mesa Dam in Quezon City overflowed, contributing to the slow decline of water levels due to high tide and intermittent downpours.

Despite initial concerns when Marikina River reached Second Alarm status at up to 17 meters on Monday, conditions have since improved with no reported flooding or casualties as of Wednesday morning.

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro urged residents to remain vigilant and advised those with small children, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and new mothers to consider preemptive evacuation if the water level rises again.

Classes in Marikina City were suspended on Thursday due to persistent bad weather conditions, impacting both public and private schools at all levels.