Nine CamSur towns suspend classes due to heavy rainfall

By Ana-Liza Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur --- Nine municipalities in the province of Camarines Sur were reported to have directed Tuesday, January 17, the school heads in their respective areas of jurisdiction to suspend classes at all levels as floodwaters began to swamp the rivers and spillways.

The local government units in the coastal towns of Caramoan, Garchitorena, Presentacion, and Siruma including the municipalities of Lagonoy, Goa, San Jose, Libmanan, and Sipocot issued a localized class suspension order to ensure the safety of the students and teaching personnel.

Both the Sipocot and Siruma LGUs has also issued work suspensions in view of the continuing inclement weather caused by the shear line and Low-Pressure Area affecting flood-prone barangays in the said municipalities.

In the morning, PAG ASA DOST issued Heavy Rainfall No.3, raising the weather alert to Orange Level in Catanduanes and portions of Camarines Sur, particularly in Partido area which means that flooding is an imminent threat in low-lying areas and river channels.

In Buhi, surface runoff caused soil and rock erosion at Sitio Malitbog, Iraya- Ibayugan boundary in Buhi, Camarines Sur. Boulders and rock particles, caused boulders to erode on the steep slope.

The strong downpour also caused flooding in Barangays Barrera Jr. and San Pedro, both in Poblacion Lupi and San Jose Alanao, Polantuna rendering the said area unpassable. The spillway in Ason- Bahi in Garchitorena also overflowed and is still not passable as of press time.

MDRRMO Siruma also advised motorists and its residents that the Bahao spillway is not passable to all kinds of vehicles. Sitio Capilla Fundado road is also not passable to light vehicles.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) thru the Environment, Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO) directed all MDRRMCs, BDRRMCs and other response clusters to closely monitor their respective areas of jurisdiction to ensure the safety of their constituents. (PIA5/Camarines Sur)