BAGUIO CITY — Access roads in Apayao province were closed down, as of 10:30 a.m., the 2nd District Engineering Office of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Apayao said, as heavy rains pounded the province and the rest of the Cordillera region Monday.
Even the Apayao-Ilocos Norte road is closed as floodwaters engulfed major inter-provincial road systems, while waters have submerged the detour road at the ongoing Annaran Bridge Construction Project at the Madalagudug River at K0661+950 in Butao, Calanasan, Apayao.
Necessary equipment is on standby to fix the detour once the water level subsides, the DPWH-Apayao assured.
The Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road (Tertiary Road in Calanasan) is also closed due to high-water level along the detour road at the ongoing Tanglagan Bridge Construction Project at Apayao/Tanglagan River.
The Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road (Tertiary Road), and Abra-Kalinga Road were also shut down due to soil collapse. The Abra-Ilocos Norte Road in Nagaparan, Danglas, Abra was also closed due to a landslide.
“Punch through operations are set to recommence today as soon as the weather improves and conditions are safe,” the DPWH-Apayao added. — Artemio A. Dumlao