Zamboanga City Extends Class Suspensions as Typhoon Inday Batters Region

Schools remain closed, residents urged to stay indoors as storm conditions persist

ZAMBOANGA CITY – For the second consecutive day, all classes across Zamboanga City have been suspended as Typhoon Inday continues to lash the region with heavy rains and strong winds, local authorities announced Thursday.

The suspension, which covers both public and private schools at all levels, comes as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that Inday, though weakening, remains a powerful typhoon threatening parts of the country.

Storm Conditions Worsen

The decision to keep schools closed was made in the interest of student and teacher safety, according to the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. With sustained winds and intermittent flooding reported in low-lying areas, authorities are urging residents to limit non-essential travel.

Pagasa’s latest bulletin indicates that Inday, which earlier this week was classified as a super typhoon, has weakened into a typhoon but continues to dump significant rainfall across Mindanao and the Visayas. The state weather bureau warned that scattered to widespread rains could trigger flash floods and landslides in vulnerable communities.

Government on High Alert

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has placed several regions under heightened alert. Emergency response teams have been pre-positioned in key areas, and local government units have been instructed to maintain constant communication with affected communities.

“We are monitoring the situation hour by hour,” a local official said in a statement. “The safety of our residents, especially our children, is our top priority.”

Broader Impact

The class suspension is not an isolated measure. Across the region, flight cancellations, port closures, and disrupted public transportation have been reported. Fisherfolk have been advised to avoid venturing out to sea, and coastal communities are on standby for possible evacuation.

The timing of the storm is particularly challenging, as it coincides with the ongoing rainy season, which has already saturated soil in many areas, increasing the risk of landslides.

Analysis: A Pattern of Preparedness

This latest suspension reflects a growing trend among Philippine local governments to err on the side of caution when it comes to weather-related disruptions. In recent years, the Department of Education has encouraged automatic class suspensions when storm signals are raised, reducing the burden on parents and school administrators to make last-minute decisions.

However, the economic cost of such suspensions cannot be ignored. For working parents, sudden school closures often mean lost wages or expensive childcare arrangements. Small businesses in school-dependent sectors, such as canteens and transport services, also feel the pinch.

Looking Ahead

Pagasa forecasts that Inday will continue to weaken as it moves northwestward, but residual rains may persist for another 24 to 48 hours. Local authorities have advised that a decision on Friday’s class schedule will be announced by 5:00 AM, pending the latest weather updates.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels, stock up on emergency supplies, and avoid spreading unverified information on social media.

As Zamboanga City and other affected areas hunker down, the message from officials is clear: safety comes first. The storm will pass, but the community’s resilience—and the systems in place to protect its most vulnerable—will be tested once again.