Albay braces for heavy rains; governor suspends classes

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—The Albay Povincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council suspended classes across the province Wednesday as the authorities braced for heavy rains spawned by a low pressure area spotted in the vicinity of Mindanao.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the suspension of classes at the preschool, elementary and high school levels was upon the advice of the Office of Civil Defense and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

He said it was a standard public safety measure to ensure no casualties.

“Due to the potential negative effects of the thick cloudinesss associated with a low pressure area it was estimated that rains with a volume of 10-18 millimeters per hour would affect the province today,” Salceda said.

Local disaster councils in the province’s 15 towns and three cities were advised to be on high alert and to prepare people in low lying and landslide-prone for possible evacuation.

Residents were warned not to cross swelling rivers and artificial pools of water while those living near mountain slopes were advised to take precautionary measures in the face of possible landslides.

The military was asked to preposition trucks and other military vehicles  in the towns of Libon, Oas  and Polangui and Ligao City, areas known to be prone to floods and landslides.