But continuous rains prompt Marikina to enforce evacuations as Marikina River reaches near-“Ondoy”–like levels
(Eagle News)—-The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has downgraded the red rainfall warning level hoisted over Metro Manila, but the continuous rains have prompted several local government units there like Marikina to implement a forced evacuation of its residents.
In its 11 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said an orange rainfall warning level was up over the National Capital Region instead, as well as over Cavite, Batangas, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan and Pampanga.
But around 3000 families from Marikina were forced to evacuate even with the downgrade, as the Marikina River level reached 20.5 meters.
The local government unit said this was only 2.5 meters less than the river’s water level during “Ondoy” in 2009.
“Parang Ondoy itong taas nito…Pati lugar na hindi binabaha ng maraming taon na, binabaha ngayon,” Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said in a radio dzbb interview.
He called on the public to donate items the city government could use in rescue operations, such as boats.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said light to moderate with occasional heavy rains were affecting Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and the rest of Quezon as of the moment, adding these may persist in the next three hours.
A yellow rainfall warning was hoisted over Laguna and northern Quezon, PAGASA said.
An orange rainfall warning, on the other hand, was retained in Rizal.
