Classes suspended as severe flooding hits Cebu City anew

Local

TORRENTIAL rains triggered severe flooding in Cebu City’s southern barangays on Monday, August 18.

This prompted the suspension of face-to-face classes and the activation of emergency response units as water levels rose to as high as three feet in vulnerable communities.

Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. announced the suspension early Monday morning through his official Facebook page, citing widespread reports of flooded neighborhoods and impassable roads.

“Due to the continuous rains causing flooding in several areas of Cebu City, there will be NO FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES in all levels, both public and private schools. Classes will be conducted asynchronously until further notice,” Archival said.

“This measure is to ensure the safety and welfare of our students, teachers, and school personnel. Everyone is advised to stay safe and continue learning through online and self-paced platforms,” he added.

For schools that had already opened, the mayor ordered early dismissal of students and staff.

Other areas that have suspended classes include Talisay City, Minglanilla, Cebu Institute of Technology–University, National University, and the University of San Jose–Recoletos.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC), said the mayor acted swiftly after receiving reports from interior and low-lying areas in the south district where flooding posed serious dangers.

“Ang atong mayor naka receive ug mga report coming from the interior portion barangays, especially in the south district sa dakbayan sa Sugbo nga grabe gyud ang pagsaka sa baha. Ilang mga estudyante nagka problema gyud, and poses danger sa ilang community,” Tumulak told reporters.

“Ang atoang mga main thoroughfares grabe nasad ang pagsaka tubig baha hinungdan nga naka decide atong mayor nga dili ibutang sa peligro ang atoang mga estudyante mao nag declare dayon siya ug suspension of physical classes.”

The CCDRRMC reported that flooding was heaviest in Basak San Nicolas, Basak Pardo, Cogon, Inayawan, and other southern barangays, with residents wading through waist-deep waters. Along N. Bacalso Avenue, Tagnol Street, and portions of the South Road Properties (SRP), traffic was paralyzed as motorists were stranded.

Rivers in Guadalupe and Bulacao also swelled, raising fears of overflow.

Tumulak noted that the flooding was more severe in interior barangays, where families were exposed to health hazards, displacement, and economic losses.

“Two to three feet na ang katas-on sa tubig sa atong interior barangays. [This pose] health hazard, economic impact kay ang uban dili na katrabaho, dili na kaluto. Grabe ang epekto,” he said.

Tumulak attributed the worsening floods to rapid urban expansion in upland barangays, inadequate drainage, and changes in weather patterns due to climate change.

“Before, wala pay mga balay [sa uplands], karon naa na. Our existing drainage, even before the time of the memorial, it’s still the same. The problem is lot acquisition. We cannot just build drainage systems because many areas are privately owned,” Tumulak explained.

He added that while both the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the city government have flood control projects, misalignment and funding constraints hamper implementation.

“Prankly speaking, even residents are not happy because if you build drainage upstream but not downstream, ang tubig adto didto sa ila. Mao na kinahanglan ug klarong master plan from the uplands to low-lying barangays,” Tumulak said.

Beyond infrastructure, Tumulak pointed to climate change as a driving factor in the intensity of recent floods.

“Even before, I have been studying weather disturbances. Makaingon ko lahi na gyud. Climate impact is worsening, and it affects our communities directly,” he said.

He appealed to families and communities to remain vigilant, prepare for emergencies, and cooperate with disaster response efforts.

“Magka grabe gyud ang impact especially sa communities. Roads are secondary. It is our families and their safety that must come first,” Tumulak said.

The city is eyeing long-term solutions such as water retention ponds, gabion dams in the uplands, and integrated drainage systems.

However, officials admitted that these projects will take time, resources, and strong legislative and community support.

For now, Cebu City remains on alert as rains continue, with the CCDRRMC monitoring rivers, flood-prone areas, and major roads to prevent further casualties and disruption.(TGP)