The Marikina City government on Friday evening raised alert levels anew and advised residents near the Marikina River to voluntarily evacuate their homes after the water level there began to rise yet again.

In posts on its Twitter account, the city public information office said the rise in the water level was prompted by rain over the Marikina Watershed.

"Ang biglaang pagtaas ng ating Marikina River ay dahil sa ulan na nararanasan natin sa Marikina Watershed (The sudden rise in the river's water level was due to the rain at the Marikina Watershed)," it said.

City officials asked residents not to believe claims that the high water level was because the Wawa Dam had collapsed.

Shortly before noon Friday, the city had lifted alert levels along the river after the water level went down to 14.9 meters - following improved weather conditions.

The city then raised Alert Level 1 before 6 p.m., after noting the water level was at 15 meters as of 5:40 p.m.

As of 8:37 p.m., the city PIO said the water level at Marikina River was already at 17.0 meters, prompting Alert Level 3.

Water levels reached 17.4 meters at 11:45 p.m.

But the levels started going down again past midnight, going down to 17.2 meters at 12:45 a.m. Saturday.

As of 3:50 a.m., the water levels were down to 16.7 meters, prompting the city government to bring down the alert level to "2" .

Under the city's alarm level, Alarm Level 2 (prepare to evacuate) is raised if the water level is 16 to 17 meters.

Alarm Level 3 (voluntary evacuate) is raised when the water level rises beyond 17 meters.

The highest level, 4, is raised when the water level goes above 18 meters. This will entail forced evacuation. — ELR, GMA News