Over 12K schools at risk of floods, landslides from Typhoon Uwan —DepEd

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Saturday warned that over 12,000 schools in 120 school divisions may be at risk of floods and rain-induced landslides as Typhoon Uwan further intensified as it moved west northwestward over the sea east of Eastern Visayas.

In its preparedness for response report, DepEd said a total of 11,968 schools in 120 school divisions are at risk of flooding, while 12,747 schools in 110 school divisions are at risk of rain-induced landslides amid a heavy rainfall outlook of greater than 200 millimeters of rain from November 8 to 10.

“The Department of Education - Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (deped-drrms) continues to monitor [Typhoon Uwan] as it further intensifies while moving west northwestward over the sea east of Eastern Visayas. This typhoon may affect more than 12,000 schools in 120 school divisions,” it said.

The DepEd - DRRMS recommended the following for affected School Division Offices and schools:

• Coordinate and collaborate with local government units and disaster risk reduction and management councils to ensure emergency response preparedness.
• Activate School Disaster Risk Reduction Management (SDRRM) teams and contingency plans to prepare for potential flooding, landslides and storm surges
• Safeguard learning materials and equipment
• Preposition emergency supplies and resources
• Report all incidents via the IMRS

“The Department of Education is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all learners and staff. Be aware. Be prepared. Be safe,” the DepEd - DRRMS said.

Meanwhile, as of Friday, the DepEd reported a total of 1,920,402 learners and 79,306 personnel in 3,478 public schools in five regions across the country were affected by Typhoon Tino and the shearline.

Further, 2,564 classrooms in 424 schools in seven regions were used as evacuation centers.

Based on a rapid damage assessment, there were 2,156 minorly damaged, 806 majorly damaged, and 391 totally damaged classrooms, according to the DRRMS Incident Management Report System. —VAL, GMA Integrated News