Parents, students told: Bring umbrellas, coats

CEBU, Philippines - Monday may start with the sun shining bright but rain can be expected this afternoon or evening, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned yesterday.

Students who are returning to school today are advised to bring umbrellas or raincoats.

"We may experience hot weather during the day but there may be a sudden downpour afterwards. It is better for parents and teachers to bring umbrella which may serve with double purpose," said Engr. Alfredo Quiblat, Jr., officer-in-charge of PAGASA's Lapu-Lapu weather station.

In fact, this week, some parts of the Visayas region, including Cebu province, may experience "partly cloudy sky with warm and humid atmosphere, becoming cloudy towards the afternoon and early evening with possible rain showers and thunderstorms," PAGASA predicted.

"We will continue to experience partly cloudy sky with chances of isolated rain shower and thunderstorm on the next five days," Quiblat said.

He said the public will be informed once significant changes in climatic pattern occur.

Recent weather forecast also showed that no tropical cyclone is expected to develop near the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) or enter PAR.

Despite this, considering the entrance of the monsoon season, Quiblat said it is still best for parents and teachers to be ready for worst case scenarios since thunderstorms are naturally associated with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and lightning.

Quiblat also recommended that parents accompany children in heading to and coming from school since heavy rainfall may cause landslide in sloped areas or flood in low-lying areas and places near river channels.

There were instances in the past, also during the rainy season, that students and motorists were stranded due to rise in water level with heavy rain while some roads were blocked with debris or fallen rock due to landslide. (FREEMAN)