Classes remain suspended as Emong intensifies; storm surge alerts raised

CLASSES at all levels in Metro Manila and several provinces have been suspended on July 25 due to the effects of ‘Typhoon Emong, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Thursday.

- By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

‘The suspension, in effect since Monday, also applies to students under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Government work in the affected areas was likewise suspended, except for essential personnel and emergency responders.

Areas placed under red rainfall warning, where more than 200 millimeters of rain are expected, include Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro, the DILG said.

Areas under orange rainfall warning, where 150 to 200 millimeters of rainfall are expected, include Ilocos Norte, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.

Meanwhile, the yellow warning, which indicates rainfall between 50 to 150 millimeters, covers Apayao, Cagayan, Kalinga, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro and Palawan.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Emong might continue to intensify as it moves closer to northern Luzon. The typhoon was forecast to accelerate northeastward on Thursday night and make landfall in either La Union, Ilocos Sur or Ilocos Norte by Friday morning.

Emong was expected to directly affect parts of Northern and Central Luzon, while the enhanced southwest monsoon would bring significant rainfall to the rest of Luzon through midday Sunday, it said.

It said Tropical Storm Dante had exited the Philippine landmass. A new tropical storm outside the Philippine area of responsibility had developed with international name Krosa.