Forced evacuation begins as 3rd alarm sounded in Marikina River

Forced evacuation has begun in areas near the Marikina River as its water level breached the 18-meter mark, prompting local officials to sound the third alarm.

A Super Radyo dzBB report by Rod Vega said the water reached the 18-meter level at 5 p.m., with residents living near the river at Barangays Nangka, Tumana, and Sto. Niño being evacuated out of their homes.

Vega said even before the third alarm was raised, some 520 families have already preemptively evacuated to the seven designated evacuation centers in the city.

Senior Superintendent Roger Quesada of the Marikina City Police said the Marikina Bridge underloop in front of SM Marikina is now impassable.

A vehicle was earlier left submerged under the swelling river, just as the second alarm was raised.

As the city's practice, the local government would the take the following action every time the river's water begin to go up —raise:

• Alarm Level 1 -when water level reaches 15 meters (Warning)
• Alarm Level 2 - when water level reaches 16-17 meters (Prepare)
• Alarm Level 3 - when water level reaches 18 meters (Forced Evacuation)

— MDM, GMA News