What dry season? Heavy rains force class suspensions in Cebu

Local

JUST when many thought the dry season was already in full effect, heavy rains drenched Cebu, forcing several towns and cities to suspend classes on Wednesday, March 20.

The persistent downpour, triggered by the shear line, disrupted daily activities and raised concerns over possible flooding and landslides.

A shear line is a weather phenomenon where two air masses with different characteristics, such as temperature or wind direction, converge. This interaction often results in continuous rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds.

Local officials in Tuburan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Santa Fe, and San Remigio ordered class suspensions in all levels.

Danao City followed suit, while Talisay City opted to cancel classes only in public schools.

Mayor Samsam Gullas left it to private school administrators and Talisay City College officials to decide whether to proceed with classes.

Hagnaya Port update

Several sea trips were also affected, including the cancellation of Super Shuttle Ferry’s 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. trips from Hagnaya Port to Santa Fe Port due to rough sea conditions, according to the Hagnaya Port Terminal Officer.

Meanwhile, by mid-morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas placed Bantayan, Bogo City, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, San Remigio, Santa Fe, and Tudela under a yellow rainfall warning.

The agency warned that low-lying areas could experience flooding, while mountainous regions faced the risk of landslides.

Pagasa weather specialist Manny John Agbay said the shear line had been affecting Cebu since March 19 and could continue bringing rain until the weekend or possibly longer.

He noted that most parts of Cebu, including Cebu City and neighboring towns and cities, remained under threat of light to moderate rain, with occasional heavy downpours.

The state weather bureau issued another advisory at 5 a.m. on Thursday, March 20, placing Borbon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Asturias, and Danao City under a yellow rainfall warning.

The agency said rainfall between 7.5 and 15 millimeters could result in slight flooding, particularly in low-lying communities.

Agbay added that while Cebu could see improved weather conditions after Sunday, there remained a chance that rains would persist until the weekend, depending on the movement of the shear line.(MyTVCebu)