Amid the upcoming threats of tropical storm Tino, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday warned that over 25,000 schools are at risk of flooding and landslides.
‘Tropical storm Tino and the associated shear line may impact 9,558 schools at risk of flooding and 15,668 schools at risk of rain-induced landslide,’ the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service said.
DepEd DRRMS data showed that of the 9,558 schools at risk of flooding, 2,233 are located in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), 1,518 in the Bicol region, 1,164 in Region 6 (Western Visayas), 940 in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), and 711 in the Mimaropa region.
These schools are located across 109 school divisions across the country.
As to schools at risk of possible landslide, the data showed that 2,320 are in the Bicol region, 2,218 in Region 7 (Central Visayas), 1,892 in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), 1,672 in Region 6 (Western Visayas), and 1,568 in Mimaropa.
DepEd stressed that Tino will bring shear line, resulting in heavy rains in areas of Visayas and Mindanao.
In its hazard outlook, DepEd identified high-risk regions in Northern Mindanao, Visayas, and Bicol where rainfall is expected to intensify due to Tino and the shear line.
With this, the DepEd DRRMS urged school divisions and school officials to collaborate with local government units and disaster risk reduction and management councils to ensure emergency response preparedness.
Likewise, it urged to activate school disaster risk reduction management teams and contingency plans to get ready for possible flooding and landslides.
‘Safeguard learning materials and equipment and preposition emergency supplies and equipment,’ the DepEd DRRMS added.