Project Noah: Marikina floods won’t reach Ondoy levels

MANILA, Philippines – Don’t panic. 

There is no truth to text rumors that the Marikina floods will reach Tropical Storm Ondoy levels, according to Project NOAH or Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards.  

“There is no truth in the statement that floods in Marikina will reach Ondoy levels. Project NOAH never said that,” Project NOAH executive director Dr Alfredo Mahar Lagmay said.

In a phone interview with Rappler on Saturday night, August 13, Lagmay noted that “alert level 4 was raised Saturday afternoon with water level of 18 meters breached, requiring forced evacuation of residents in low lying areas of Marikina.” (READ: #FloodPH: Forced evacuation ordered in Marikina)

Water level in Marikina had been receding since 6:30 pm Saturday, said Lagmay.

As of 10:06 pm, the water level has gone down to 17.4 meters, according to the Marikina City Public Information Office (PIO).

Malacanang’s Crisis Communication Center Laging Handa also belied the rumor in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, in a press briefing at 5 pm on Saturday, state weather bureau PAGASA warned Luzon and Western Visayas to brace for more heavy rains in the next 5 days.

For Sunday, August 14, in particular, PAGASA said there would be more monsoon rains in Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas.

These areas should watch out for even more floods and landslides. – Rappler.com