Eastern Visayas suspends classes due to heavy rain, flooding risks

Heavy rains caused by a shear line prompted authorities in Eastern Visayas to suspend classes on Thursday, with further suspensions announced for Friday.

In Leyte, schools were closed in Abuyog, Jaro, Ormoc, and Tacloban cities, while Baybay City and Merida also suspended classes due to flooding risks.

Catarman in Northern Samar and Silago in Southern Leyte joined the list of areas suspending classes on Friday amid continuous heavy rain.

Flooding was reported in Lapay and Pasil villages in Tanauan town, Leyte.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council issued red and orange rainfall warnings for these areas, indicating potential severe flooding and landslides.

Local governments were advised by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Department of Interior and Local Government to monitor weather conditions and implement precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, in Palapag, Northern Samar, provincial authorities started repairing damaged sections of the Palapag-Simora Road due to shearline-induced rains.