Marikina River still under 'first alarm'

The Marikina River remains under the first alarm past noon on Monday amid the heavy rains brought about by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. 

On Facebook, the Marikina City government said the water level in the river reached 15.3 meters as of 12:47 p.m.

The first alarm is issued when the Marikina River breaches 15 meters, the second alarm at 16 meters, and the third alarm if it climbs to 18 meters.

Malacañang suspended government work and classes at all levels in  Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, and Bataan due to the heavy rains caused by the Habagat. 

Meanwhile, several parts of Metro Manila were flooded due to the inclement weather.

State weather bureau PAGASA earlier said rains may persist over a large swath of the country due to Habagat. 

Monsoon rains may prevail over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro while occasional rains may be experienced over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Oriental Mindoro. —VAL, GMA Integrated News