KORONADAL CITY – Disaster officials in South Cotabato on Monday suspended classes in all levels in at least eight towns due to the downpour accompanied by strong winds affecting the province since Sunday night.

The towns that suspended classes include Surallah, Tampakan, Polomolok, Tboli, Tupi, Norala, Banga, Lake Sebu, all in South Cotabato, and the chartered city of General Santos.

“Possible flash floods and landslides may happen. Avoid going to areas that were declared prone to flash floods and landslides, take precautionary measures when going out of your homes,” an advisory from the PDDRRMO said.

The weather bureau said easterlies are affecting Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and the whole of Mindanao., This news data comes from:http://www.redcanaco.com

Tropical Storm Tapah (formerly Lannie) also contributed to the downpour.

Meanwhile, Rolly Aquino, South Cotabato provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, urged municipal disaster officers to monitor overflowing rivers and waterways in their respective areas to help save lives.

“We appeal to residents living near river banks and landslide-prone areas to immediately evacuate when the rains continue,” Aquino told reporters in an interview.

In North Cotabato province, traffic flow along the national highway in Barangay Skyline Greenhills, President Roxas town, was temporarily halted when the ascending portion of the road virtually turned into a river due to heavy downpour on Sunday afternoon.

Passenger vehicles and private cars were forced to wait for several hours after rampaging waters moving downstream carried huge boulders.

Eight towns in Cotabato cancel classes on Monday

Motorists were prevented from attempting to cross due to possible rockfalls and landslides. PNA

The local government disaster officials directed motorists to take the diversion road until the rocks are cleared from the highway and the water flow slows in the village.