DepEd: Classes suspended in Regions 1, 2, CAR

Classes in all public, private preschool, elementary and high school levels in Region 1, 2, and CAR are suspended on Monday, October 18. According to a media advisory of the Department of Education (DepEd), the schools in areas affected by the storm but are not under any storm signal will announce any suspension on Monday. At least five areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 4 as super-typhoon "Juan" (Megi) slowed down and slightly changed course and threatened Isabela province early Monday. However, state weather forecasters said despite the slight change of course, the cyclone is not expected to hit Metro Manila, which was placed under Storm Signal 1. "Inaasahan ito ay magla-landfall sa Isabela ngayong umaga. Bahagyang bumagal ang takbo nito, inaasahan itong between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. (We expect it to make landfall at Isabela between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.)," Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) deputy head Nathaniel Servando said in an interview on dzBB radio. However, he said PAGASA does not expect "Juan" to further strengthen as its intensity remained "constant" since Sunday night. He said they expect "Juan" to weaken once it makes landfall and to exit the country through Ilocos Sur before midnight Monday. Servando said a high-pressure area (HPA) had prompted "Juan" to change course. "Juan" was initially forecast to make landfall on Cagayan Monday morning. However, he said this HPA is not strong enough to send "Juan" further south such that it will hit Metro Manila. "Merong high-pressure area sa bandang South China Sea kaya ito ang tumutulak. Subali't ito ay walang indicator na mas itulak niya south para itumbok ang Metro Manila (There is a high-pressure area in the South China Sea that pushed 'Juan' southward. But it will not be likely enough to send 'Juan' toward Metro Manila)," he said. As of 4:00 a.m., PAGASA said "Juan" was estimated at 220 kilometers (km) east of Tuguegarao City, with maximum winds of 225 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 260 kph. It was moving west-southwest at 19 kph and is forecast to be 100 km northwest of Baguio City Tuesday morning. By Wednesday morning it is expected to be 560 km west-northwest of Baguio City. Under Storm Signal No. 4 are: