Manila: Disaster officials in South Cotabato on Monday suspended classes in all levels in at least eight towns due to heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds affecting the province since Sunday night. The towns that suspended classes include Surallah, Tampakan, Polomolok, Tboli, Tupi, Norala, Banga, and Lake Sebu, all in South Cotabato, as well as the chartered city of General Santos.
According to Philippines News Agency, possible flash floods and landslides may occur, prompting an advisory from the PDDRRMO urging residents to avoid areas prone to such hazards and to take precautionary measures when leaving their homes. The weather bureau has reported that easterlies are impacting Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and the entirety of Mindanao, with Tropical Storm ‘Tapah’ (formerly Lannie) also contributing to the adverse weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Rolly Aquino, South Cotabato provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, has urged municipal disaster officers to vigilantly monitor overflowing rivers and waterways in their respective areas to help ensure public safety. Aquino appealed to residents living near riverbanks and landslide-prone areas to evacuate immediately if the rainfall persists.
In North Cotabato province, traffic along the national highway in Barangay Skyline Greenhills, President Roxas town, was temporarily halted when a road segment became inundated, effectively turning it into a river due to the heavy rains on Sunday afternoon. Passenger vehicles and private cars were left waiting for several hours as rampaging waters carried large boulders downstream.
Motorists were advised against attempting to cross due to the risk of rockfalls and landslides. Local government disaster officials have directed motorists to use a diversion road until the rocks are cleared from the highway and the water flow subsides in the village.
