Heavy rains forced the cancellation of classes in several areas in Cotabato City and Maguindanao, even as state weather bureau Pagasa said that heavy rains will also affect the western part of Luzon and parts of the Visayas in the next 3-5 days.
Eastern Visayas and the Bicol region were also alerted for possible flash floods and landslides due to rains triggered by the storm.
“Around 44.6 mm [of rain] for the next 24 hours and 32 [mm], 23 [mm] and even 71.5 [mm] sa Sangley Point, Cavite by Friday,” DoST-Pagasa senior weather specialist Chris Perez said.
Perez added that continuous rains can be considered a threat for possible flash floods and landslides.
Pagasa said that “Domeng,” which was last spotted 805 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar as of 10 am, is not expected to make landfall in the country.
“Domeng” has maintained its strength, packing 45 kph winds near the center and gusts of up to 60 kilometers per hour. It is moving northwest at 15 kilometers per hour.
The storm is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat) until Monday.
Nearly 4,000 school children, both in the elementary and high school levels, in the opening week of classes in Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will be affected by the suspension of classes.
According to Bai Meriam Kawit, Maguindanao schools division superintendent, at least 23 school grounds are now flooded, 11 of which have totally suspended their classes while some are holding their classes at gymnasiums in some towns.
“Around 3,910 pupils and 103 teachers are affected as of latest monitoring today,” Kawit said in her report to the ARMM-DepEd Office.
The heavy rains had been experienced since last week due to the effects of the two low-pressure areas which hover above Mindanao and parts of the Visayas.
The storm is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat) until Monday, the state weather bureau said in its 11 am update.
Pagasa said these areas will experience moderate to occasional heavy rains.
Domeng is forecast to enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat) that will also bring moderate to occasional heavy rains over Mimaropa and Western Visayas beginning Thursday, and over the rest of the western section of Luzon, including Metro Manila, starting Friday.