The second alarm was raised Thursday morning, July 27, after the water level of the Marikina River reached 16 meters due to heavy rains from Typhoon Egay.
Marikina River water level at 16 meters at around 11 a.m. on July 27, 2023. (Screenshot from Marikina Rescue 161)
The Marikina City Rescue 161, the city's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) Command Center, raised the first alarm at around 5:30 to 6 a. m.
As of 6:30 a.m., the water level was at 15.2 meters and is expected to rise gradually.
By 11:11 a.m., the water level reached 16 meters, triggering the second alarm.
With the raising of the second alarm, residents in low-lying areas, especially those near the river, were asked to voluntarily evacuate to their barangays' designated evacuation site, according to the city's early warning system.
If the water level rises further to 18 meters, forced evacuation will be imposed by the city government.
Since 2 p.m., the water level has been slightly decreasing to 15.9 meters, then 15.8 meters at 3 p.m, reverting the alert back to the first alarm. As of 4 p.m. the water level is now at 15.7 meters.
The alarms were lifted at 9 p.m. when the water level went further down to 14. 9 meters.
No major flooding has been reported in the city.
Noel Pabalate / MANILA BULLETIN
All gates at the Manggahan Floodway were opened, said the Marikina Public Information Office (PIO) on its social media post.
In a radio interview, Marikina Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro said the city government continues to monitor the river, and has prepared alternative evacuation centers in barangays.
He said the Palarong Pambansa, which will officially begin on Saturday, July 29 with the opening ceremony to be conducted on the 31st, will still push through.
Contingency plans have been prepared in case some games are rescheduled due to the storm or other disasters, he added.
As per the 5 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Super Typhoon Egay is tracking northwestward over the Luzon Strait.
According to the 11 a.m. bulletin, Typhoon Egay has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Metro Manila is no longer under the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1. However, light to moderate rains are expected to persist under the yellow rainfall warning.