Classes suspended in Pagudpud due to heavy rains

RAGING CURRENT. The Mapaco Creek in Pancian village in Pagudpud swells and overflows due to shear line-induced rains on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, causing some residents living near the area to evacuate. Photo courtesy of Pancian village government.

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Classes were suspended in Pagudpud town in Ilocos Norte province on Wednesday until further notice due to torrential rains, which caused flooding in many villages in the town, according to Mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito II.

In an executive order, Benemerito said heavy rainfall was also feared to trigger landslides in some parts of the town. Floods also rendered roads impassable.

The town was one of the hardest hit areas in the province during the onslaught of Typhoon Neneng (international name: Nesat) last Sunday, October 16, with roads in Pancian and Balaoi villages still inaccessible to the public.

READ: One dead after Typhoon Neneng hits Ilocos Norte

“The safety of our school children must be ensured in the face of prevailing harsh weather and environmental conditions,” the mayor said.

In Pancian, the Mapaco Creek swelled and overflowed, causing some residents living near the area to evacuate, according to Pancian village officials.

The moderate to the heavy rain experienced in parts of Ilocos Norte was induced by the shear line, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also said on Wednesday that a “major” landslide again occurred on a national highway due to the inclement weather.

The portion of the Manila North Road in Pancian remained close to the public as the teams from the DPWH conducted clearing operations.