ROAD CLOSED. The Pagudpud highway in Ilocos Norte is temporarily closed on Sunday (Oct. 16, 2022) as typhoon “Neneng” batters Luzon. Clearing operations will resume once the weather permits. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
LAOAG CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Sunday temporarily closed a national highway in Pagudpud town in Ilocos Norte as Severe Tropical Storm Neneng continues to bring rains and strong winds in northern Luzon.
In a road advisory, Jocelyn Oamar, DPWH-Region I (Ilocos Region) maintenance management section chief, said clearing operations will resume if deemed safe to operate.
"The heavy rainfall and strong winds brought about by ‘Neneng’ triggered new landslides in the area,” Oamar said.
Since September, the Manila North Road, Kilometer 578 + 800 in sitio Banquero, Barangay Pancian has been on and off to road closure due to frequent landslides.
While there is no quick-fix solution to the problem, Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos said earlier said the government is eyeing the construction of another Pagudpud viaduct to do away with the landslide.
Marcos said the administration can look for possible funding and implement it on a multi-year project.
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 Tamdagan Bridge in Vintar, Ilocos Norte was also closed to all types of vehicles on Sunday due to the swelling of the Bislak River, damaging the bridge’s approach.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Sunday “Neneng” made landfall over Calayan Island, Cagayan after intensifying into a severe tropical storm
Neneng was located over the coastal waters of Calayan, Cagayan at 3 a.m. with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph, moving west northwestward at 20 kph.
PAGASA said Neneng reached a severe tropical storm category at 2 a.m. Sunday and " is likely" to further intensify into a typhoon. (PNA)
