Pagasa recommends suspension of classes in Cebu's mountain barangays amid heavy rains
Cebu City (19 November) -- School authorities are urged to suspend classes today particularly public schools located in mountain barangays amid continuous heavy rains in Cebu.
Philippine Atmospheric Geographical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa-7) Regional Head Oscar Tabada bared that heavy rains will continue to batter Cebu until tomorrow which places mountain areas at risk of flooding and endangering lives of school children especially those that need to cross riverbanks just to attend classes.
Heavy downpour which began yesterday is due to the low pressure area as Pagasa assured that such heavy rains will not develop into a typhoon.
Tabada however advised that even if there is no impending threat of a typhoon, barangays must prepare for any possible calamities or disasters that might occur. The public on the other hand, should expect winds between 20 to 30 kms./hour, according to Tabada.
Though no public storm is imminently expected, Tabada admitted the torrential rains will have a serious impact on the production of agricultural crops.
Tabada said rains will continue to pour until the year ends and even in January next year as the country is experiencing a mild La Niņa.
La Niņa which means "little girl," is where the sea-surface temperature in the central and eastern tropical Pacific falls below normal. Under such condition, above-average rainfall is expected in countries like Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines but far dryer weather to the southwestern United States, Florida and western Latin America, it is learned. (PIA-Cebu/FCR) [top]
