Hot weather forces Tacloban mayor to suspend classes

Tacloban City, Leyte map from INQUIRER file photo

TACLOBAN CITY — Classes in all elementary and secondary schools in this capital city of Leyte have been suspended for May 2 and 3 due to the intense heat.

Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez issued an executive order, saying classes needed to be suspended to protect the health and well-being of the entire school community during adverse weather conditions.

Romualdez cited the forecast by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) that showed heat index in Tacloban on May 2 and 3 could go up to as high as 46 degrees Celsius, considered a dangerous level.

Such temperature, he said, could cause heat cramps and head exhaustion with a heightened risk of heat stroke.

READ: Classes in Eastern Visayas suspended due to bad weather

He urged the school management to shift their classes to alternative distance learning.

As of noon on May 2, the heat index of the city was at least 38 degrees Celsius.

On May 1, the city posted its highest heat index at 47 degrees Celsius.