Marikina River level drops to first alarm, evacuations continue

The water level of Marikina River dropped to the first alarm early Thursday morning after falling to 15.9 meters as of 4:20 a.m., according to the local disaster office.

River dredging and widening efforts initiated in 2021 contributed to the rapid decrease in river levels, the Marikina Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) said.

Local authorities continue to provide food, water, medicine, and other supplies to evacuees from seven barangays near the river's border, with classes suspended across Marikina and Metro Manila despite the receding waters.

Mayor Marcelino Teodoro emphasized that although dredging has expanded Marikina River’s capacity, it still cannot handle heavy rainfall caused by Super Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon, drawing comparisons to 2009's devastating Typhoon Ondoy.

Evacuation centers are urgently in need of additional supplies such as food, medicine, drinking water, blankets, and medical volunteers, with at least 10,818 families rescued and currently staying in shelters.