Monday classes suspended in NCR due to ‘Karding’

Power interruptions may also occur so gadgets must be fully charged, the city government reminded. (File photo: Erik Witsoe/Unsplash)

MANILA – Classes in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces are suspended on Monday as a precaution against the possible effects of Super Typhoon Karding.

As of the 2 p.m. weather bulletin, Polillo Islands; extreme northern portion of Quezon (the northern and central portions of General Nakar, the northeastern portion of Infanta); extreme southern portion of Aurora (Dingalan); eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray); and extreme southeastern portion of Nueva Ecija (the southeastern portion of General Tinio) are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5.

The northern portion of Metro Manila (Marikina, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, and Quezon City); central and southern portion of Nueva Ecija (Gabaldon, the rest of General Tinio, City of Gapan, Peñaranda); rest of Bulacan and Pampanga; northern and central portions of Rizal (Rodriguez, City of Antipolo, Tanay, San Mateo, Baras); southeastern portion of Tarlac (La Paz, Concepcion); and extreme northern portion of Laguna (Famy, Siniloan, Santa Maria, Pangil) are under Signal No. 4.

The rest of Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan, Metro Manila, and Rizal; northern and central portions of Laguna (Mabitac, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Cavinti, Pagsanjan, Luisiana, Majayjay, Magdalena, Santa Cruz, Pila, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Victoria, Rizal, City of San Pedro, City of Biñan, City of Santa Rosa, Cabuyao City, City of Calamba, Los Baños, Bay, Calauan); northern and central portions of Cavite (Tanza, Rosario, Noveleta, Kawit, Imus City, Bacoor City, City of Dasmariñas, Carmona, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Silang, Amadeo, City of General Trias, Trece Martires City, Naic, Indang); rest of the northern portion of Quezon (Infanta, Real, General Nakar, Mauban); and the northern portion of Camarines Norte (Vinzons, Paracale, Jose Panganiban, Capalonga) are under Signal No. 3.

The Taguig City government reminded residents to stay updated by monitoring weather updates through television, internet or radio.

Power interruptions may also occur so gadgets must be fully charged, the city government reminded.

“In case brownout occurs, keep an eye on lighted candles or gas lamps. Protect your home,” read the city government advisory.

Resident were also advised to keep all windows closed, put important appliances and belongings on high ground, secure paper documents in emergency kits, evacuate calmly if needed, and store canned goods or ready-to-eat food items and drinking water enough for three days.”

In Marikina City, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said they have deployed disaster and rescue personnel to respond to the needs of residents and evacuation centers are open.

“We have pre-positioned our rescue equipment which will be immediately utilized if needed,” Teodoro said in a statement. “We are monitoring the water level along the Marikina River 24/7, as well as the rainfall count. Residents, especially those dwelling in low-lying areas, are advised to prepare if there is a need to evacuate.”

Aside from suspending classes in all levels, public and private, and online and face-to-face, Mayors Honey Lacuna of Manila and Francis Zamora of San Juan announced work suspension in local government departments and offices except those involved in disaster response.

Private companies’ suspension will be upon the discretion of employers.

“The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and other related Manila City government departments are now on red alert effective today (Sunday),” Lacuna said.

She added that declogging operations to mitigate flooding and preemptive evacuation for residents in coastal areas are ongoing, while all health centers and evacuation centers are open.

The cities of Muntinlupa, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Parañaque, Quezon, and Malabon and the province of Rizal likewise announced class suspension in all levels, public and private.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority won’t implement the number coding scheme on Monday.

This afternoon through early Monday morning, there may be heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over NCR, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Aurora, Rizal, and the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may be experienced in Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Pangasinan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and the central portion of Quezon, Occidental Mindoro and Camarines Norte.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and the rest of Calabarzon and Bicol Region. (With a report from Marita Moaje/PNA)