Presidente Prudente Faces Strong Winds and School Transportation Suspension

On the morning of Tuesday, September 29, strong wind gusts hit Presidente Prudente (SP), toppling trees in three neighborhoods and forcing an Azul flight departing from Viracopos to return. During the same period, the Municipal Department of Education (Seduc) suspended outsourced school transportation, leaving hundreds of students without means to get to classes.

Strong Winds Topple Trees and Disrupt Flight

Between the night of September 28 and the morning of September 29, the city recorded wind gusts of up to 72.2 km/h. The winds toppled trees in the Cohab, Jardim Vale do Sol, and Jardim Itapura II neighborhoods, but no injuries were reported. An Azul flight bound for Presidente Prudente had to return to Viracopos International Airport due to meteorological conditions. The local airport resumed normal operations.

Cold Front Brings Rain and Hail Risk

The state Civil Defense warned that the cold front accompanying the winds is expected to bring scattered showers, lightning, and the possibility of hail between Tuesday, September 29, and Thursday, October 1. Temperatures are expected to drop sharply starting Thursday, increasing the sensation of cold.

Seduc Suspends School Transportation Due to Safety Failures

The Municipal Department of Education issued a statement announcing the preventive suspension of outsourced school transportation services after identifying serious safety and maintenance failures in the vehicles of the contracted company. The measure affects 121 students from state and municipal schools.

Temporary Alternatives for Students

While the suspension persists, the City Hall is providing free school passes for public transportation and evaluating the emergency use of its own fleet. Seduc indicates that the service regularization should occur within eight business days, with the contracting of a new company that offers inspected vehicles, permanent drivers, and monitors.

Impacts on Community Routine

Residents of the Vila Nova Prudente neighborhood reported difficulties in taking children to Ettore Marangoni State School, in the district of Montalvão, due to their exclusive reliance on the vans. Recurring problems, such as broken vehicles, delays, and absence of monitors, had already been reported for about eight months, but the current suspension intensified the situation, preventing several children from attending school.

With information from G1, Ifronteira.