MANILA (UPDATE) - The Marikina River rose to 19.9 meters and remained under third alarm early Thursday morning, Marikina's public information office announced on Facebook.

The city PIO started to post updates on social media at 1:52 a.m., when the water level was at 16.5 meters (2nd alarm).

According to Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, rainfall measurement was at 150 to 170 millimeters in 6 hours until about 4 a.m., Thursday.

"Naging malakas ang pag-ulan sa mga kabundukang nakapaligid sa atin," he said.

(Heavy rains prevailed in the mountains surrounding the city.)

At Typhoon Ondoy's peak in 2009, the Marikina peaked at 21.5 meters, Teodoro said.

"Parang naaalala natin, ang karanasan natin ay katulad ng Ondoy. Dinalaw din tayo ng Ondoy, ganitong oras, disoras ng gabi at nabigla ang lahat," the mayor said.

(This reminds us of our experienced during Ondoy. Ondoy also came at around this time, late at night, and everyone were surprised.)

• Residents near Luzon, E. Visayas rivers warned of possible flooding as water levels rise due to Ulysses

Teodoro also said it has been years since the water level in the river reached third alarm.

"Itong mga nakaraang taon, hindi na tayo inaabot ng third alarm. Hanggang first alarm lang tayo. Kumbaga, prepared lang tayo. Pinaghahanda lang tayo," he said.

(These past years, we never reach third alarm. We only reach first alam. We're just prepared.)

"Siguro mahigit tatlong taon na, o tatlong taon na na hanggang first alarm lang tayo, o kaya second alarm pero hindi naman talaga babaha. Ngayon lang talaga, itong Ulysses, mas malupit kay bagyong Rolly," he added.

(It's been almost three years, or three years that we only reach first alarm or second alarm, but flooding does not occur. But now, because of Ulysses. This typhoon is worse than typhoon Rolly.)

State weather bureau PAGASA on Wednesday warned residents near major rivers in Luzon and Eastern Visayas to take precautionary measures as water levels rise due to Typhoon Ulysses

PAGASA warned residents near such rivers, particularly in the following areas, to be on alert for possible flooding and rain-induced landslides:

UPPER MARIKINA RIVER

• Antipolo
• Marikina
• Pasig
• Quezon City
• Rodriguez
• San Mateo

LOWER MARIKINA RIVER

• Mandaluyong
• Pasig

PASIG RIVER

• Mandaluyong
• Manila
• Quezon City

TULLAHAN RIVER

• Quezon City
• Caloocan
• Malabon
• Navotas
• Valenzuela

TRIBUTARIES

• Mango River (Rodriguez)
• Nangka River (Marikina, San Mateo, Antipolo)
• San Juan River (Quezon City, San Juan, Manila)

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