Floods cause class suspension in Metro schools

By: Joseph Ubalde and Abigail Kwok, InterAksyon.com
June 18, 2012 7:19 AM

InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATE, 8 a.m.) Intermittent rains greeted residents of Metro Manila and nearby areas early Monday, as Typhoon "Butchoy" continued its exit out of the country, pulling more monsoon rains that flooded roads and forced the cancellation of of classes in the nation's capital.

In Marikina, all classes from pre-school to high school were suspended due to the heavy rains and the continue rise in the water level of the Marikina river. As of 7 a.m., the river's water level is already at 14.5 meters high, which is just a meter short before the first warning could be hoisted over the city.

Pasay City, Navotas, and Obando in Bulacan also cancelled classes from pre-school to high school in both private and public schools.

Malabon cancelled classes from pre-school to elementary, while San Mateo, Rizal suspended classes in all public elementary and high schools.

In Manila and Paranaque, not all classes have been cancelled.

Schools that cancelled classes

Pre-school/elementary to high school

University of the East Caloocan
Progeny Ardent School
Noter Dame of Metro Manila-Caloocan
Saint Mark International Academy
San Mateo Rizal
Faith Christian Academy
New Era University
Nuestra Señora De Guia Academy of Marikina
Marikina Christian Integrated School
St. Joseph Academy Valenzuela
Systems Plus Computer College Caloocan
St. Dominique Academy of QC
Pledge of Love School (De Paro, Caloocan)
Miraculous Lady of Peace Academy Novaliches
Notre Dame of Greater Manila
Saint Mark International Academy
Progeny Ardent School
Rosa Susano Elementary School Novaliches
Kings Montessori School Bagbag Novaliches
Miraculous Lady of Peace Academy Novaliches

Pre-school-elementary

Holy Child Academy (QC-wide)
Castleville Academy
Eastern Star Academy
Little Lazaret Christian Academy
Commonwealth Academy
Salvador Araneta Memorial Institute (Malabon)
East Baesa Academy of QC
Holy Trinity Multiple Intelligence Learning Center Caloocan
Jerusalem Christian Academy of Novaliches
Anima Christi Academy (Batasan Hills, QC)
Upstreet Kids School House (Fairview, QC)
Emerald Valley Christian Academy (Pasig City)
Headway School for Giftedness QC
King Solomon Christian School International (Tatalon and Fairview branches)
Our Lady of Angels Learning Center (Valenzuela)
J-Priam School (QC)
Colegio de Sta. Cecilia (Valenzuela)
JC Wolim Christian School (Tandang Sora)
Little Lazaret Christian Academy (Quezon City)

Dams monitored

At least two dams in Luzon are also being closely monitored due to the incessant rains. Ipo dam opened one of its gates as the reservoir water level rose to 100.83 meters from a normal high of 100.20 meters. The La Mesa dam is also being monitored as it continues receive more rains from the intermittent downpour.

The Metro Manila Development Authority also began reporting flooding in several roads particularly in Malabon and Valenzuela, where some are not even passable to any type of vehicles. As of 6 a.m., C4 Lascao road was not passable to all vehicles, while McArthur Highway Fatima was also flooded.

Although the strong typhoon packed heavy rains as it was spotted 460 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, according to the last update from the state weather bureau, it was the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat that brought the heavy downpour over Metro Manila. Butchoy still packed winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 220 kph as it moves north at 22 kph.

Between 4 and 5 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) recorded 15 milimeters of rains, which is considered very heavy. This was enough to flood major thoroughfares in the country and prompted local city officials to suspend classes in their areas.

Pagasa said Metro Manila should expect rains to persist throughout the day. Based on their latest model, Butchoy may leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Monday evening.