The local government of Marikina is set to conduct forced evacuations of residents in low-lying vilages after the water level of Marikina River reached the third and highest alarm at 18 meters as of 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro said floodwaters and debris from upstream areas are raising the water level of the Marikina River. 

Recorded rainfall has also reached 185 mm, which is triple that of the daily average of 50-600mm of rain, he said. 

Some residents have already conducted preemptive evacuation and have taken shelter at Concepcion Integrated School and Nangka Elementary School after the water level reached 16 meters.

The mayor said the Tumana Bridge connecting Balara, Quezon City and Marikina River is already impassable due to floods.

Marikina River water level hits 16m, residents told to evacuate

Marikina River runs in the heartland of Marikina Valley passing through heavily populated residential areas throughout its length and through important commercial and industrial areas at its middle and downstream portions. The river regularly overflows its banks and floods the surrounding basin during periods of heavy rains.

At 8 a.m., PAGASA issued a red rainfall warning for Metro Manila, Rizal, Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan, indicating serious floods in low-lying areas.

Weather bureau PAGASA said Metro Manila and 12 other areas are facing strong to gale-force gusts on Wednesday due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina.

Gale-force gusts to lash 13 areas; Carina heads towards Taiwan