TACLOBAN CITY -- Heavy rains dumped by Tropical Storm Salome caused landslides and rockslides along major roads in Samar Friday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported.
At least four such incidents have been reported by the DPWH, blocking major roads linking Samar and Northern Samar provinces.
Affected were road sections in Maguinoo, Caglanipao, and Malayog villages in Calbayog City, Samar; and Mabuhay village in San Isidro, Northern Samar.
Both road lanes in Caglanipao and Malayog were closed to traffic as the DPWH rushed to clear the section.
“There’s an immediate clearing of rockslide. We also installed barricades, warning signs, and traffic advisory,” said DPWH Regional Director Edgar Tabacon.
The infrastructure agency is eyeing to make the road completely passable within 24 hours.
On Thursday, the weather disturbance dumped rains as it intensified from being a low-pressure area into a tropical storm. The entire Samar Island and nearby provinces were placed under Storm Warning Signal No. 1.
As of Friday noon, Salome’s center was estimated at 175 km. west of Subic, Olongapo. (PNA)