Rains prompt Metro Manila LGUs to suspend classes

MANILA, Philippines — Several local government units in Metro Manila suspended classes yesterday due to intermittent downpours.

Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela suspended afternoon classes in all levels.

The Valenzuela City government suspended online classes from preschool to senior high school but allowed online classes for college students to proceed.

The Malabon City government said it based its declaration on the yellow rainfall warning issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 11 a.m.

A low-pressure area dumped heavy rains over Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and parts of Quezon, the state weather bureau warned.

PAGASA said heavy rains could “cause flooding in low-lying areas,” including these cities.

Flooding was recorded along MacArthur Highway and in other areas in Valenzuela as of 1 p.m. yesterday, but the roads remained passable to vehicles.

Marikina River rises

The water level in the Marikina River rose to 13.9 meters yesterday afternoon due to heavy rains brought by the northeast monsoon that hit Metro Manila.

The Marikina government said the river’s water level initially rose at 12.7 meters at around 8:05 a.m. Due to heavy rains, the level reached 13.9 meters at around 3:04 p.m.

Under the local government’s alarm system, a first alarm is raised as a warning when the water level reaches 15 meters.

With the yellow rainfall warning advisory from PAGASA, the Marikina government suspended afternoon classes in all levels in public and private schools.

The Pasig government also suspended classes, including in universities and colleges, because of the rains.- Emmanuel Tupas