LAOAG CITY –– Classes in both primary and secondary schools in Ilocos Norte province are still suspended due to the continuous rains.
Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos issued the advisory early Friday as the erratic weather condition over the past three weeks has resulted in flooding in several low-lying areas of the province, the swelling of rivers, and landslides.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assistant district engineer for Ilocos Norte, Richard Ragasa, said in a radio interview Friday that a DPWH maintenance crew was clearing debris brought about by a landslide at the northern approach of Barit bridge in this city.
“Warning signages have already been installed for public safety,” he said.
The Ilocos Norte second engineering district has also prepositioned heavy equipment along the Ilocos Norte-Apayao road in Barangay Maan-anteng in Solsona town in anticipation of a landslide.
In a traffic advisory, Jocelyn Oamar of DPWH 1 (Ilocos region) reported that two lanes have become passable along the Manila North Road in Barangay Labut K0387 + 500 in Santa, Ilocos Sur after maintenance crew had completed the removal of a fallen acacia tree.
In Naiba, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, the DPWH also reported the ongoing removal and clearing of debris triggered by landslide along the Tagudin-Cervantes road covering K0358+500.
Several landslides were also recorded in parts of the junction of Santiago-Banayoyo-Lidlidda-San Emilio-Quirino road, particularly in Barangay Tiagan in San Emilio, and Barangay Cayus in Quirino, Ilocos Sur.
Continuous heavy rainfall has also caused the rivers of Padsan in Laoag and Bislak in Vintar town to swell.
As a precautionary measure, residents were advised to stay safe and dry as Tropical Depression Luis, enhanced by another low-pressure area, continues to bring scattered rains with occasional thunderstorms in the western section of northern and central Luzon.(Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
