The current weather disturbance Gorio has intensified into a tropical storm and while PAG-ASA says that it will not directly hit the country, it is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon. Because of this, heavy rains have brought flooding to certain parts of Metro Manila.
According to CNN Philippines, several cities and municipalities in Metro Manila have suspended classes for all levels. Quezon City on the other hand issued an advisory at 3 a.m. that there will be no class suspensions today. As thunderstorms occurred in different parts of the metropolis, the QC government eventually suspended classes by mid morning Thursday.
List of Class Suspensions
In the National Capital Region, the following cities declared the suspension of class in all levels: Caloocan, Las Pinas, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paranaque, Pasay, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig and Valenzuela (preschool to senior high school).
The following provinces in Luzon also suspended classes in anticipation of Gorio’s effects: Bataan, Bulacan (Marilao, Meycauyan, Pulilan, San Miguel), Cavite, Laguna (San Pedro), Pampanga, Rizal (Angono, Antipolo, Binangonan, Cainta, San Mateo, Taytay) and Zambales.
Live Updates From PAG-ASA
As of 10 a.m., Gorio was spotted 615 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour near the center and a gustiness of 105 kms per hour. Moving at 9 km per hour, it is moving in the north northwest direction. According to PAG-ASA, Gorio will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday evening.
In a press conference via Facebook Live, PAG-ASA officials also mentioned that they are constantly issuing thunderstorm advisories via Twitter. These advisories usually concern certain areas of the country. They also said during the press conference that the isolated thunderstorms are bringing more rain because of Gorio’s enhancing effect on the southwest monsoon.