MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) – Residents living near Marikina River were evacuated when the second alarm was sounded off after the river’s water level rose to 16 meters.

The city government asked residents of Barangay Malanday, Tumana and Nangka to evacuate around 12 noon after the water’s level reached near critical level of 18 meters.

Twenty-two families from Malanday and 11 families from Tumana were sent to evacuation centers.

Authorities deployed more rescue equipment as they expect the river’s water level to rise further.

The first alarm was sounded off this morning when the water rose to 15.4 meters, according to city administrator Vic Samaniano.

In Rizal, meanwhile, San Mateo River’s water level reached past its normal level of 18 meters.

Residents will be forced to evacuate if it reaches 19 meters. – Report from Dennis Datu, dzMM