By Sarwell Meniano / Philippine News Agency
The Tacloban City government suspended classes and work in the government on Thursday (Dec. 9) due to heavy rains that dumped on the Eastern Visayas region.
In an executive order issued early Thursday, Mayor Alfred Romualdez suspended the classes and work as “precautionary measures and in anticipation of any developments that may arise out of the weather disturbance.”
Since Tuesday, the region has been experiencing cloudy skies with moderate to at times heavy rainfall, which may possibly result in landslides and flooding in low-lying areas, according to a forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Under the Local Government Code, governors and mayors are allowed to suspend classes as chairpersons of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, especially during disasters and calamities to ensure the safety of learners.
Not covered by the work suspension are those involved in the maintenance of peace and order, disaster risk management, health and sanitation, and traffic management.
The weather bureau warned of a heavy downpour on Thursday due to shear line affecting the eastern section of Visayas. Shear line is a narrow zone across which there is an abrupt change in the horizontal wind component parallel to this line, according to the glossary of meteorology.
In an advisory issued early Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) identified several rivers in six provinces that would likely be affected by the downpour.
These are Sangputan, Palo, Solano, Daguitan, Marabong, Cadacan, Bongquirogon, Salug, Pagbanagaran, Pagsangahan, and Binahaan in Leyte; and Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, Mano, and Gamay in Northern Samar.
Other rivers are Oras, Dolores, Ulot, Taft, Borongan, Suribao, Llorente, Balangiga, and Sulat in Eastern Samar; Basey, Silaga, Calbiga, and Jibatan in Samar; Bisay, Himbangan, and Pandan in Southern Leyte; and all river systems in Biliran.
People living in low-lying areas near these river systems have been advised to stay alert for possible flash floods.
Those residing near mountain slopes have been told to watch out for signs of landslides. (PNA) – jlo