Floods trigger suspension classes in Medellin

Floods experience in Medellin, northern Cebu. (PHOTO BY Municipality of Medellin Cebu page )

Classes were suspended in two public schools in Medellin town northern Cebu after incessant rains triggered floods that reached waist deep on Friday morning.

The suspension of classes at the Caputatan Norte public elementary and high school stemmed from the memorandum issued by Medellin Mayor Joven Mondigo Jr. who also advised residents “to take precautionary measures” and prepare for “unfavorable weather condition and heavy rain forecast.”

A copy of the mayor’s memo was posted on the town’s Facebook page about 11 a.m. on Friday.

The municipal government sent out a dump truck to fetch stranded students stranded in their schools and bring them home safely.

Andreza Orique said waist-deep water flooded Barangay Caputatan Norte that has a population of about 2,890. Medellin town is located about 116.5 kilometers away from Cebu City.

“It has been raining here since last night causing water level to rise,” said Orique of the municipal disaster office.

Posts on the town’s FB page said that some of the students were left stranded while about to cross a bridge in Sitio Martinez, Caputatan Norte that leads to their school. Flooding made the bridge impassable for the day.

Orique said a river is located about three kilometers away from the Caputatan Norte public elementary and high school.

The river overflowed “causing danger to pedestrians and vehicles.”

“Everyone is advised to take the alternate route and take precautionary measures,” said the town’s FB page.

Motorists were advised to take the town’s Medical or Transloading road as alternative route in going to the national highway.

Pre-emptive evacuation was also ordered in Sitio Bangon in Barangay Poblacion, Medellin after the nearby creek overflowed.