Floods brought by Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) have reached the roof lines of thousands of houses in Marikina City but rescue boats can’t go against the current and the local government cannot conduct all rescues on its own.

Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro admitted that the local government is overwhelmed.

Teodoro told DZMM on Thursday, November 12, that they coudn’t reach Provident Village, one of the most affected areas, just yet because the water current on the main roads is just too strong for rescue boats. Marikina City Hall, where resources are available, is also flooded.

“Hindi kaya ng lokal na pamahalaan lang ang rescue. Weather permitting, air rescue na ang kailangan; nasa bubong na ang mga tao,” Teodoro told DZMM on Thursday, November 12.

(The local government can’t do this alone. Weather permitting, air rescue is needed because the people have fled to their roofs already)

Teodoro says apart from Provident Village, the following barangays are submerged in roof-level floods:

• Nangka – 30,000 households
• Tuman- 8,000 households
• Malanday- 5,000-6000 households

Teodoro said the city has only 50 rescue boats.

Marikina River has risen to 21.8 meters as of 9:04 am on Thursday, November 12 – higher than the 21.5–meter level reached during Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009.

– Rappler.com