Marikina City Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro on Tuesday credited the city’s ongoing dredging operations and slope protection efforts along the Marikina River for the rapid subsiding of floodwaters following heavy rains.

Teodoro said more than 23,000 residents were evacuated to 36 evacuation centers after the river reached the third alarm level Monday night, prompting forced evacuations in flood-prone communities.

The first alarm is raised when the river reaches 15.9 meters, signaling residents to prepare for possible evacuation. The second alarm is declared at 16 meters, prompting advisories for residents in low-lying areas to move to barangay evacuation centers. The third and final alarm is triggered at 18 meters, requiring mandatory evacuation due to imminent danger.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, the water level had subsided to 15.9 meters—back to first alarm status—according to the Marikina City Public Information Office.

Marikina serves as a catch basin for rainwater from the Sierra Madre mountain range and Upper Wawa Dam, making it highly vulnerable during heavy downpours caused by the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Teodoro noted that some evacuees had begun returning to their homes as floodwaters receded.

Meanwhile, she joined Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian in distributing relief goods to flood-affected families, aiming to swiftly address the urgent needs of displaced residents.

Teodoro emphasized that efficient coordination between local and national government agencies was key to the quick deployment of aid and support to affected communities.