TACLOBAN CITY – Several areas in Eastern Visayas have suspended classes on Monday as heavy rains dumped by a shear line triggered flooding in low-lying areas. In Northern Samar province, Governor Harris Ongchuan suspended classes in all levels and work in government due to the continuing effects of the shear line and the forecasted gale-force winds as reported by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. “The weather condition brings heavy rainfall and rough sea conditions that pose risks to commuters, government personnel, and the general public,” the governor said in a statement issued Sunday night. The provincial government also suspended classes for Jan. 5, 2026, as early as Sunday afternoon. In Samar province, Governor Sharee Ann Tan issued an executive order on Sunday night declaring the suspension of classes in pre-school, elementary, and secondary levels in all public and private schools in the province on Jan. 5, 2026, due to the weather disturbance. “The suspension of classes is necessary to spare the pupils and students from unnecessary dangers to their lives and limbs,” the governor said. Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone also suspended classes in all levels in public and private schools across the province on Monday following persistent rains brought about by a prevailing shear line. “In response to the weather threat, the Eastern Samar Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office raised the province’s blue alert status on January 4, signaling heightened preparedness and monitoring,” Evardone said. Flooding in several communities in this city also prompted Mayor Alfred Romualdez to issue an executive order suspending classes at all levels in both public and private schools. The city hosts big college campuses with students from different parts of the region. Class suspension declarations were also issued by the local government units of Palo, Alangalang, Tanauan, San Miguel, Tolosa, Julita, Burauen, Tabontabon, Barugo, Jaro, and San Isidro in Leyte province. In Biliran province, classes have been suspended in the towns of Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan, Cabucgayan, Almeria, and Naval. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issued early Monday a heavy rainfall outlook due to a shear line for the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar. The weather bureau identified several rivers in six provinces likely to be affected by the downpour—Sangputan, Palo, Solano, Daguitan, Marabong, Cadacan, Bongquirogon, Salug, Pagbanagaran, Pagsangahan, and Binahaan in Leyte; and Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, Mano, and Gamay in Northern Samar. Other rivers are Oras, Dolores, Ulot, Taft, Borongan, Suribao, Llorente, Balangiga, and Sulat in Eastern Samar; Basey, Silaga, Calbiga, and Jibatan in Samar; Bisay, Himbangan, and Pandan in Southern Leyte; and all river systems in Biliran province.