Preemptive evacuation ordered after Marikina River reaches 2nd alarm

A preemptive evacuation was ordered in flood-prone parts of Marikina City on Monday after the swollen Marikina River reached the 2nd alarm.

In Raffy Tima's report on "24 Oras", residents and motorists both struggled to cross flooded streets of Barangay San Roque that reached up to waist deep due to the continuous rains spawned by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.

“‘Yung tubig na bumagsak sa araw na ito, in five hours’ time, like half a day of Ondoy so ganun kalakas at dami ‘yung volume of ulan. Kaya tulad ng sabi namin kanina, sinasalo din namin ‘yung tubig ulan galing sa Rizal,” said Marikina Mayor Maan Teodoro who was inspecting various flooded parts of the low-lying city.

(The amount of rain that fell today is equivalent to half a days' worth from Typhoon Ondoy so that is the volume of rainwater. Like what I said earlier, our city also catches the rainwater from Rizal Province.)

As of Monday, she said only preemptive evacuations were being undertaken.

Teodoro credited Marikina’s flood control projects since the flooding would be a lot worse without the improvements, according to her.

The city engineer said the large volume of water coming from Rizal province is responsible for the fast rise of floodwater into their city.

Among the parts of Marikina that were flooded included the Tropicana Garden City in Barangay Santo Nino, Brgy. Malanday and Brgy. Santa Elena near city hall.

Engineer Kenedy Sueno said the drainer interceptor in Marcos Highway could not handle the huge amount of water brought by Monday’s rains that began in the morning. He said one possible solution is another interceptor being constructed along the Sumulong Highway.

Meanwhile, the height of the Marikina River increased to 16.8 meters but slightly lowered in the afternoon. Authorities said they will continue to monitor the waterway.

Despite the flooded streets, Marikina City sanitation employees continued to collect trash, some of which were washed away by the current. —RF, GMA News