Heavy rains force class suspensions in Cebu

Local

PERSISTENT heavy rainfall led several local government units (LGUs) across Cebu to suspend face-to-face classes on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

The state weather bureau warned of flooding and possible landslides in large parts of the province.

By early Tuesday morning, multiple LGUs had announced class suspensions at various levels due to safety concerns, as downpours continued to affect both urban and upland areas.

Cebu City suspended face-to-face classes at all levels, while other cities and municipalities ordered partial or full suspensions in public and private schools.

These included Daanbantayan, Tabogon, Medellin, Catmon, Tabuelan, Toledo City, Minglanilla, Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay City, Aloguinsan, Danao City, Liloan, Carcar, Compostela, Consolacion, Mandaue City, San Fernando, Borbon, Balamban, and Cordova, among others.

Local officials said the suspensions were a precautionary move to reduce risks to students, particularly those in flood-prone and landslide-susceptible communities.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed wide portions of Cebu under an orange rainfall warning on Tuesday morning due to continuous moderate to heavy rains.

Areas covered by the warning included Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Consolacion, Cordova, Talisay City, Minglanilla, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Carcar City, Balamban, Toledo City, Asturias, Tuburan, Barili, Aloguinsan, Catmon, Carmen, Sogod, San Fernando, Pinamungajan, and the City of Naga.

Under an orange warning, Pagasa said flooding is considered threatening in low-lying and urban areas, while landslides are possible in mountainous and elevated terrain.

Meanwhile, Pagasa attributed the unsettled conditions to the interaction of the northeast monsoon (amihan) and a shear line—a weather boundary formed when cold air from the monsoon meets warmer air from the Pacific.

This interaction enhances cloud formation and rainfall, particularly over the Visayas, resulting in prolonged rain episodes and significant accumulation in some areas over short periods.

Pagasa's latest forecast indicates rains will persist across Central Visayas, with occasional heavy downpours possible due to localized thunderstorms. Even during brief breaks, sudden showers may still occur, raising flash flood risks.

Residents were advised to remain alert, monitor official weather bulletins closely, and heed advisories from local disaster risk reduction and management offices.(TGP)