On-going widening and dredging of Marikina River, 2 June 2024

Marikina River
On-going widening and dredging of Marikina River
2 June 2024
This morning, I passed by the riverside of Marikina during my brief jog near the Marikina River. I noticed that there is an ongoing widening and dredging project. The objective is to widen and deepen the Marikina River, augmenting its ability to manage excess rainwater during heavy rains and prevent flooding in low-lying cities traversed by the river in Marikina and Pasig.
A dredging operation can excavate an average of 2.5 to 3 meters in depth. To date, the DPWH has already dredged around two kilometers of the Marikina River. The river is being widened from the previous 50 to 60 meters to 80 meters, in accordance with the standard set by the governing body. Additionally, the widening of the Marikina River is expected to address the problem of flooding within its basin.
The Marikina local government maintains its advisory for the danger levels of the Marikina River:
• Alarm Level 1: When the water is 15 meters above sea level, it means “prepare.”
• Alarm Level 2: When the water is 16 meters above sea level, it means “evacuate.”
• Alarm Level 3: When the water is 18 meters above sea level, it means “forced evacuation.”
An estimated 13 to 18 tropical cyclones are expected to hit the Philippines this year, according to PAGASA.
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