DUMAGUETE CITY - Classes have been suspended in the provinces of Negros Oriental and nearby Siquijor due to unfavorable weather conditions brought about by Tropical Storm Kristine. Governors Manuel Sagarbarria of Negros Oriental and Jake Vincent Villa of Siquijor issued their respective executive orders late Tuesday evening as Kristine pummeled its way to the Philippines, bringing heavy rains and strong winds and causing massive flooding in northern and central Luzon. The suspension of classes in both Negros Island Region provinces covered all levels and public and private schools. The latest state weather bureau report included the northern portion of Negros Oriental as under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard in both provinces also issued advisories on suspending all trips of fishing boats and other small crafts with 250 gross tonnage and below. The weather bureau said that strong to gale-force winds brought about by Kristine is affecting the seaboard of the Visayas, includi ng Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Bohol, and Cebu. Sea condition is rough to very rough, the Coast Guard Station-Negros Oriental in its advisory said. In related news, unscheduled power interruptions are currently felt in Negros Oriental due to the tripping of sub-stations of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) caused by strong winds. Michelle Visera, NGCP spokesperson for Negros, told the Philippine News Agency the Mabinay-Bayawan, Bindoy-San Carlos, and Amlan-Siaton 69kV lines tripped and resulted in power interruptions in the majority of the province. 'It is not a total blackout as there are still sub-stations that are energized such as Tanjay and Bais sub-stations and we are trying our best to re-energize the lines that are out while ensuring the safety of our workers,' Visera said. Source: Philippines News Agency
Thursday, October 24, 2024