Classes in Southern Negros Occidental have been suspended in all levels Wednesday, August 27, as a precautionary measure due to persistent heavy rains and the threat of flooding brought about by Low Pressure Area (LPA) and the Southwest Monsoon rains.
The advisory from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said the suspension covered both public and private schools.
The cities of Himamaylan, Kabankalan and Sipalay declared suspension of classes at about 9 A.M. yesterday along with the towns of La Castellana, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Candoni, Ilog, Cauayan, Isabela and Binalbagan.
The Municipality of Moises Padilla however only suspended face-to-face classes in high risk areas for flooding that included Odiong Elementary School, Magallon Cadre Elementary School, and Mateo Liboon National High School.
Heavy rainfall also resulted to sand, gravel and rocks inundating at least nine homes in La Castellana. The materials came from the overflowing Tamburong Creek in Brgy Biak-na-Bato in La Castellana that had no water pathway because of the lahar. Dredging request to clear and creel and allow water to flow freely has been stopped pending a clearance from the national office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Based on the report from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, 106 families or 256 individuals were evacuated in Ilog, Cauayan and Sipalay yesterday morning.
Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda also said they evacuated several people from Barangay Binicuil, and flooding was reported in Barangays 1, Hilamonan, Daan Banua, Talubangi and Brgy. 6
Regional Director Donato Sermeno III of the Office of Civil Defense said that heavy rains will continue until August 28 and all agencies have been placed on heightened alert.
However, while the current weather disturbance is expected to dissipate in the next two days, there is another LPA that has been monitored within the Philippine Area of Responsibility, currently sighted in Pangasinan with a high chance of turning into a storm within 24 hours.