Marikina City may have prepared for Typhoon Ulysses but it seems everyone was caught by surprise with just how strong its winds and rain turned out to be. For many Mariqueños, November 12, 2020 certainly brought back memories of the wrath of Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009.
Just like Ondoy, the river rose to alarming levels while most everyone was asleep. Marikina river registered a high of 22 meters by 11 in the morning of Thursday, surpassing Ondoy’s highest which was 21.5 meters. Thousands of households were submerged in water, and many needed to be forcibly evacuated from their homes especially when the river water was reaching alarming levels. Those who cannot wait for rescue boats navigated the flooded streets with anything that can keep them floating as they make their way to safety.
Below are scenes from Marikina's Tumana area, the A. Bonifacio Street (formerly JP Rizal), and San Mateo, photographed by Gil Nartea.