QUEZON CITY — Floodwaters inundated parts of Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City as heavy rains from the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, pushed the Marikina River to critical levels late Saturday night.
The situation prompted authorities to raise the third alarm on the Marikina River, with the water level reaching 18.4 meters at around 11:35 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, according to the latest reports from GMA News and local authorities.
Under Marikina City’s warning system, the third alarm is raised once the river reaches 18 meters and signals the need for mandatory evacuation in affected areas. The second alarm is triggered at 16 meters, while the first alarm begins at 15 meters.
Floodwaters reach parts of Bagong Silangan
In Bagong Silangan, muddy floodwaters inundated portions of the barangay, including the Humanity area, as residents dealt with rising water brought by the swollen river and continuing rains.
Some residents were seen using boats to move through flooded sections of the community, according to the GMA News report.
Residents told GMA that the flooding was less severe than some previous flooding incidents, but the rising river remained a serious concern because of the continued rainfall.
The area has historically been vulnerable to flooding because of its proximity to the Marikina River.
Marikina River later drops below 18 meters
The river situation showed some improvement early Sunday.
GMA News reported that the Marikina River was placed under second alarm after its water level began declining. At 3:30 a.m., the river stood at 18.1 meters, before falling to 17.7 meters at 4:50 a.m. and 17.3 meters by 5:25 a.m.
The drop provided some relief, but it did not eliminate the threat of flooding because rains associated with Habagat were continuing across parts of Luzon.
PAGASA warns of continued flooding risk
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) continues to monitor the Southwest Monsoon, which is bringing persistent rains over parts of Luzon.
PAGASA’s August 30 forecast said Metro Manila could experience occasional rains, with moderate to heavy rainfall capable of triggering flash floods or landslides in vulnerable areas.
PAGASA also issued a Heavy Rainfall Warning for parts of Luzon on Sunday and warned of serious flooding in areas under the highest warning levels.
The agency’s weekly outlook likewise indicated that Habagat would continue affecting Metro Manila and surrounding areas, with occasional rains expected through the period.
Bagong Silangan remains a flood-prone community
The latest flooding is not an isolated incident for Bagong Silangan.
Earlier this month, more than 2,700 people were evacuated from the barangay amid flooding caused by Habagat and the rising Marikina River, according to ABS-CBN News. The flooding also damaged livelihoods in the community.
The recurring flooding underscores the vulnerability of communities located along and near the Marikina River, particularly when prolonged rainfall causes water levels to rise rapidly.
Quezon City has been working on a citywide Drainage Master Plan designed to improve flood management. The plan covers all 142 barangays and takes into account the city’s major rivers, tributaries and existing drainage systems.
What residents need to watch next
While the Marikina River has fallen below the third-alarm threshold, the situation remains weather-dependent.
Any renewed period of intense or prolonged rainfall could cause the river to rise again, particularly in low-lying communities such as Bagong Silangan.
For residents in flood-prone areas, authorities continue to emphasize monitoring official warnings and preparing for evacuation when instructed.
For now, the immediate danger has eased from the overnight peak — but with Habagat still affecting Metro Manila, the bigger question is whether the river will continue falling or begin climbing again.
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