State university in Catanduanes suspends classes due to extreme heat

LEGAZPI CITY — In-person classes at Catanduanes State University (Catsu) were suspended Monday due to the expected high heat index, predicted by the Southern Luzon weather bureau.

In a Facebook post, Catsu’s university administration announced that classes at all levels across all its campuses would shift to an online learning modality.

Meanwhile, office work at the institution would continue, according to the advisory, with offices remaining open and operational to accommodate physical transactions.

The suspension is expected to remain in effect until weather conditions improve.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Southern Luzon Regional Services Division issued a two-day forecast on Sunday, predicting an extreme heat index of 42 degrees Celsius (°C) in Virac, Catanduanes, today.

The heat index in the island province’s capital was expected to spike to 43°C on Tuesday, according to the same Pagasa bulletin.

Temperatures between 42°C and 51°C are classified by the weather bureau under the “danger” status, where residents may experience heat cramps, exhaustion, and possibly heat stroke if exposure is prolonged.

Both the university and the weather station have advised the public to stay hydrated to mitigate the negative effects of the high heat index.—Karl Ian Morissey Ramos/Intern INQ