Classes, work in Zambo suspended due to floods

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Classes and work in government offices were suspended Tuesday, October 8, in Zamboanga City due to flooding.

Flooding has hit the city, which is still recovering from the three-week fighting between government forces and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), due to heavy rains since Friday, October 4.

On Tuesday Mayor Isabelle Climaco suspended classes in all levels, both in public and private schools, due to the flooding.

Work in all government offices, except those providing frontline services, have also been suspended by Climaco.

She also directed barangay officials to utilize 5% of their calamity funds for flood response, and advised residents living near riverbanks and low-lying areas to seek safer ground.

Among the areas affected by flooding are some evacuation centers, housing thousands of people who were displaced by the fighting.

Six barangays are badly affected, the Philippine National Police said in a text message.

In Barangay Tugbungan, police, barangay officials and the coast guard conducted rescue operations to bring affected families to safer ground.

An intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is bringing rain to the area, as well as to the rest of Mindanao and the Visayas, state weather bureau PAGASA said in its 5 am forecast. – Rappler.com