The Philippine Red Cross has deployed its assets and personnel to assist in rescue operations in Marikina City, as the Marikina River swelled over the weekend due to heavy rains.
“We immediately deployed the amphibian together with our Water and Search and Rescue Team to conduct rescue operations in Marikina,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon in a Twitter post.
“We are also on standby to immediately deploy additional assets and manpower as needed,” he added.
Marikina River now at alert level 2. We immediately deployed the amphibian together with our Water and Search and Rescue Team to conduct rescue operations in Marikina. @philredcross
— Richard J. Gordon (@DickGordonDG) July 23, 2021
The Marikina River reached Alert Level 2 after the water level below the Sto, Niño Bridge soared to over 16 meters on Saturday, July 24.
This prompted the city government and other agencies to conduct a pre-emptive evacuation of residents near the river and those living in flood-prone areas.
Based on the latest weather advisory, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may prevail over parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, in the next 24 hours.
This is because the southwest monsoon or “habagat” being enhanced by the typhoon “Fabian” is seen to dump more monsoon rains over most parts of Luzon.
As of writing, over 3,000 families in Marikina have been evacuated, according to the local government.