FLOODED. Several roads in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur remain flooded on Thursday due to intense rain brought about by Super Typhoon Egay. Road clearing operations are ongoing. (contributed photo)
LAOAG CITY – The Manila North Road in Sitio Baquero, Pancian, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, along with other roads in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, are temporarily closed on Thursday due to major landslides and floods.
In a road advisory from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), clearing operations are ongoing.
"The intense rainfall and strong winds brought about by Egay triggered new landslides and flooding in the area,” Jocelyn Oamar, DPWH-Region I (Ilocos Region) maintenance management section chief, said in a statement.
Since Wednesday, the Manila North Road in Sitio Banquero, Barangay Pancian has been closed due to landslides.
Motorists are advised to take safety precautions if they need to take the alternate route from Ilocos Norte to Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) via the Ilocos Norte-Apayao road and vice versa.
Meanwhile, the Laoag-Sarrat-Piddig-Solsona road is also closed as of press time due to floods with a height ranging from one meter to 1.90 meters.
In Ilocos Sur, the Pantay Daya Bridge on the Vigan City-Santa Catalina road and the Quirino Pandan Bridge on the Quirino-Pandan road were temporarily closed due to erosion of soil surrounding the bridge’s foundation.
Soil erosion also hit portions of the Tagudin-Cervantes road in Barangay Man Atong in the municipality of Suyo, Cervantes-Aluling-Bontoc road in Barangay Aluling, Cervantes-Mankayan-Abatan road, Tagudin-Cervantes road, Junction-Santiago-Banayoyo-Lidlida-San Emilio Quirino road in Barangay Cayus in Quirino, and Barangay Tiagan, San Emilio, all in Ilocos Sur.
As of this posting, Ilocos Norte is under the Yellow Warning Level, which suggests that floods and landslides may still occur in flood and landslide-prone areas.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said certain parts of Ilocos Norte including Pagudpud, Adams, Bangui, Dumalneg, and Burgos remain under Signal No. 2, indicating the likelihood of experiencing moderate to strong winds.
Meanwhile, the rest of Ilocos Norte is now under Signal No. 1, which implies a minimal threat to life and property.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is urging residents to take necessary precautions and remain vigilant. (PNA)
