Marikina River now on alert level 3

MANILA, Philippines - Alert level 3 has been raised for Marikina River after its water level rose due to the heavy rains on Tuesday.

The Marikina Public Information Office (PIO) said on its Twitter account that as of 12:50 p.m., the river's water level is currently at 17 meters.

All floodgates have been opened, the agency said.

The local government has also urged residents to be vigilant in the next hours.

Alert level 2 was also raised on Monday after the non-stop torrential downpour since Sunday evening, prompting hundreds of residents near the river to evacuate.

The river's critical level is at least 18 meters above sea level and calls for “forced evacuation.”

State weather bureau PAGASA warned on Tuesday morning that heavy to intense rains are currently affecting Metro Manila and some Luzon provinces, prompting the agency to issue a red rainfall warning.

Since Sunday, the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon or "Habagat" has been dumping rains over the metro and other provinces.