CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/11 November)—Students in pre-school and elementary levels in this city were sent home after tropical depression “Zoraida” dumped at least 10 millimeters of rain (moderate to heavy) Monday afternoon.
Aside from the mandatory suspension of classes, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also barred fishermen from venturing out to the Macajalar Bay Monday night.
“We ordered all pre-school and elementary students to go home because there are many areas in the city that can be easily flooded,” Maricel Rivera, Cagayan de Oro information officer, said.
Following Cagayan de Oro, the Misamis Oriental Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also reactivated its command center at the provincial capitol Monday afternoon.
Edmundo Pacamalan, Misamis Oriental provincial administrator, said they are closely monitoring several rivers in the province that are prone to flooding.
Storm signal 1 was hoisted over Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration spotted tropical Zoraida 484 kilometers southeast of Hinatuan town, Surigao del Sur at 2 p.m. Monday.
Much weaker than super typhoon Yolanda, PAGASA said Zoraida packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour at its center.
PAGASA said that Zoraida is expected to follow the path of Yolanda, and is predicted to hit Tagbilaran City in Bohol province on Wednesday.
Storm signal number 1 was also hoisted in Dinagat Island, Siargao Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Samal Island, Bukidnon and Camiguin Island. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)