7:52 a.m.
MANILA, Philippines (ENS) — Tropical Storm “Mario” continued to dump heavy rains in the whole of Luzon, prompting the country’s weather bureau to declare a “red warning” over Metro Manila, Rizal and Bulacan, and an “orange warning” for Laguna.
PAGASA said “severe flooding in expected” in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Rizal, while for Laguna floods are imminent. A “yellow warning” is raised over Cavite, Batangas and Quezon, indicating that floods in low-lying areas could prevail over these areas.
Light to moderate with occasional heavy rains also affect Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bataan and Tarlac which may persist within the next three hours, according to PAGASA.
In Marikina, the water level in Marikina river was at 18.4 meters as of 7:05 Friday morning, as Alert Level 4 was declared by the city government meaning forced evacuation is now being enforced in all residents in low-lying areas.
Under an Alert Level 4, the local government will conduct forced evacuation of any remaining residents living near the river. Alert Level 4 is the Critical Level, and is adopted when the water is 18 or more meters above sea level.
PAGASA said tropical storm “Mario” is expected to move west northwest at 26 kilometers per hour. It was located 576 kilometers East of Infanta, Quezon as of 4 a.m. Friday. It is forecast to be in the vicinity of Sta. Ana, Cagayan by Friday afternoon.
Signal number two has been declared in Cagayan including the Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands and Northern Isabela, meaning winds of 61-100 kph is expected in at least 24 hrs.
Signal number one has been declared in Catanduanes, Isabela, Aurora and Cagayan, Includ. Calayan group of Island. Winds of 30 – 60 kph is expected in at least 36 hours, in these areas according to PAGASA.
Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under signal #2 and #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Estimated rainfall amount is from 7 – 20 mm per hour (moderate – intense) within the 350 km diameter of the Tropical Storm.
The combined effect of Southwest Monsoon and TS “MARIO” will bring moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms in Bicol Region and Eastern and Central Visayas which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.
Fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The Department of Education has already suspended classes in Metro Manila and 15 Luzon provinces, including Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal Province, Cavite Province, Laguna, Quezon, including Polilo Island, Batangas, Mindoro provinces, Camarines Norte, Marinduque, Pangasinan. (Eagle News Service)
