In anticipation of the possible impact of Tropical Storm Tino which is forecasted to make landfall in the Eastern Visayas region on Tuesday, November 4, classes across all campuses of Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) will shift to asynchronous mode from Monday until Wednesday, November 3-5.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), at 5:30 a.m. today, the weather disturbance Tino (internationally known as Kalmaegi) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Moreover, in the 4 a.m. weather bulletin issued by the state weather bureau, the storm’s center was located 1,230 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas.

It packs maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness reaching up to 105 kilometers per hour, and is moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour.

Pagasa forecasts that the tropical storm may further intensify into a typhoon before making landfall over parts of Eastern Visayas or Caraga area between Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

Upon the recommendation of the EVSU Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Committee, the Office of the University President (OUP) has ordered the suspension of all in-person classes across all campuses, shifting to asynchronous learning to ensure the safety of students, staff, and faculty members.

Meanwhile, Pagasa announced that Wind Signal No. 1 may be raised over portions of Eastern Visayas and Caraga by Sunday morning or afternoon, with the highest possible alert level reaching Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4.

Furthermore, Pagasa has dismissed circulating social media claims of a so-called “Super Typhoon Tino,” clarifying that no such system has been detected within the PAR.

The weather bureau advises the public to remain vigilant and rely only on official sources for weather updates as the Tropical Storm Tino continues to develop.

Article by Nicole Cheyne Formentera