ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor John Dalipe suspended classes in private and public schools here on Thursday, August 17, due to inclement weather.

ZAMBOANGA City Disaster Risk Reduction Management personnel prepare equipment for rescue operations amid inclement weather. (City Hall PIO)
Dalipe ordered the suspension after flooding was reported in several barangays due to heavy rains spawned by the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
Six barangays reported flooding and evacuation of residents starting Wednesday night, August 16.
Three-hundred fifty-two families evacuated from their homes to seek safer grounds in barangay halls, multi-purpose courts, or their relatives’ houses.
Sixteen families were from Tumaga, 200 from San Jose Gusu, 16 from Barangay Ayala, 60 from Barangay Talisayan, 60 families from Barangay Cabatangan, and five from Barangay Calarian.
Profiling of affected families by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) is ongoing.
Dalipe advised residents to stay alert and remain vigilant in light of the unstable weather.