Landslides, floods close several Eastern Visayas roads to traffic

Thursday 16th of February 2012

CANDAHUG, PALO, Leyte, Feb 16 (PIA8) -- The Department of Works and Highways in Eastern Visayas said that on February 16, several roads were closed to traffic due to landslides brought about by the continuous rains.

Director Rolando Asis of DPWH Region 8 said that at 5:45 a.m. of February 16, due to continuous rains soil eroded in the vcinity of Daang Maharlika particularly at Kilometer 1004 +900 at Barangay Kahupian in Sogod, Southern Leyte rendering road impassable to traffic.

As of 12:00 noon, DPWH-8 in a text message to PIA informed that 80 percent of the debris have been cleared and the road is already passable to traffic. The removal of the remaining debris is still ongoing.

The DPWH Southern Leyte also said that all roads within Southern Leyte are already passable and the maintenance crew is still on alert for any eventuality.

Meanwhile, a landslide occurred in the morning of February 16 along Maharlika Highway at Sitio Baliaco, Barangay Pinamonoan, Mahaplag, Leyte particularly at Kilometer 1002+800. This rendered the road impassable. The DPWH has already mobilized the maintenance crew to the site.

Furthermore, Tugas Bridge Detour at Barangay Hilapitan of Baybay City in Leyte is not passable to light vehicles due to water overflow brought about by continuous heavy rains.

Also, in the province of Leyte, Daang Maharlika, particularly Kilometer 0949+000- Kilometer 0956+000 along Mayorga- MacArthur section at Barangay Liberty, Barangay Sta. Cruz up to Barangay Union, had been rendered hardly passable to light vehicles due to flooded roadway. It was learned that floodwaters was knee deep at Barangay Liberty Kilometer 0949.

Director Asis called on the commuters to bear the temporary inconvenience brought about by the rains and impassable roads. He assured the public that DPWH will fast track the clearing of debris that block the road. DPWH maintenance crew will continue to be on alert for any eventualities, Director Asis said. (PIA 8)