Heavy rainfall, flooding prompt class suspension in Lanao del Norte

Lanao del Norte in Mindanao (Image from Google Maps)

LINAMON, Lanao del Norte—Classes have been suspended in seven towns of Lanao del Norte because of the heavy rainfall that triggered flooding in low lying areas.

Rasmila M. Cosain, senior education program specialist on networking and social mobilization of Lanao del Norte schools divisions office, said among the towns where mayors had declared suspension of classes included Salvador, Sapad, Lala, Kolambugan, Kapatagan, Nunungan and Sultan Naga Dimaporo.

“As of 6 a.m., Mayor Hassanor Tawantawan of Salvador called up and confirmed the suspension of classes at all levels,” Cosain said, referring to the town badly hit by tropical storm Vinta on December 22, 2017, where more than 50 bodies were retrieved.

Cosain said the water level of major rivers kept on rising and threaten most residential places especially in low lying areas.

“The rain had kept on since last night and residents have been preparing to move to higher areas in case the water level of the river overflows,” Tawantawan said.

The towns of Salvador, Tubod and Munai were severely hit by tropical storm Vinta last year.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office alerted all municipal disater risk reduction management offices here to check on the status of swelling rivers and flood-prone areas.

“We have deployed our personnel to check and monitor the water level of rivers that may likely affect villages of Balili, Lapinig, Butadon and Taguitic,” said Joy Romero, MDRRMO chief of MDRRMO of Kapatagan town.

Roy Secuya, PRRRMO operations chief, said the river Ramain in Sultan Naga Dimaporo town has been closely watched due to its rising water level after the heavy rains. /jpv