Slides close highway in Ilocos Norte

Landslides triggered by Severe Tropical Storm Neneng’s heavy to intense rains block a portion of the Manila North Road in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte Oct. 16. – DPWH photo

By John Michael Mugas

PAGUDPUD, Ilocos Norte—The Dept. of Public Works and Highways on Oct. 16 closed a portion of the national highway here as Severe Tropical Storm Neneng (international name: Nesat) hit parts of Luzon.
    The DPWH regional office announced the closure of a segment of the Manila North Road in Pancian village due to rain-induced landslides.
    Clearing operations will start once the weather improves, the DPWH added.
    The national road along Ilocos-Sur-Abra-Kalinga-Tuguegarao could serve as alternate route for inter-province travel and vice versa.
    As of 3:50 a.m. Sunday, Neneng made landfall in Calayan Island, Cagayan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
    The state weather bureau, in its 8 a.m. bulletin, said Neneng maintained its strength and was moving away from Babuyan Islands, moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
    Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 was raised over the southern portion of Batanes (Basco, Mahatao, Uyugan, Ivana, Sabtang) and Babuyan Islands while TCWS No. 2 is up over the rest of Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, the northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Lagayan), and Ilocos Norte.
Several areas in north Luzon were placed under TCWS No. 1.