Photo courtesy of Butuan City PIO
Classes at all levels in public and private schools remained suspended Monday in parts of Agusan del Sur as local authorities extended precautions against dangerously high heat index levels.
The city government said schools had already been closed since the previous week, with extreme heat continuing to pose risks to students and school personnel.
Schools were encouraged to use alternative learning arrangements, including synchronous and asynchronous classes, while face-to-face sessions remained suspended.
Officials said the heat index in the city was expected to reach 43 degrees Celsius, a level classified as dangerous because prolonged exposure can increase the risk of heat-related illness.
Residents were advised to stay hydrated, avoid long exposure to direct sunlight, wear light clothing and reduce strenuous activity during the hottest hours of the day.
Authorities also urged people experiencing dizziness, headaches, weakness or other possible heat-related symptoms to rest in cooler areas and seek medical attention when necessary.
The Agusan del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office separately warned that several localities could experience heat index levels ranging from 40 to 45 degrees Celsius, including Bayugan City, Esperanza, Prosperidad, San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Trento, La Paz and Talacogon.
The provincial disaster office advised residents to continue monitoring local heat advisories as other towns and cities in the region also adopted class suspensions or alternative learning arrangements because of extreme temperatures.