BY MARTIN A. SADONGDONG
Severe tropical storm “Ulysses” brought heavy rains and strong winds ahead of its expected landfall which caused landslides, mudflows and rock collapse in at least three regions in northern Luzon, the National Disaster Risk Redcution and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Wednesday noon.
NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said at least seven road sections and two bridges in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos (Region 1), and Cagayan Valley (Region 2) were affected by flooding, mudflow, landslide, and rock collapse.
In Ilocos Norte, two sections of the Manila North Road both in Barangay Pancian, Pagudpud were closed to motorists after a series of landslides and mudflow.
Strong winds also uproot some trees which blocked the road.
Meanwhile in Cagayan, three sections of the Manila North Road in Barangay Kilkiling and Barangay Lablabig in Claveria town; and in Barangay San Juan, Sta. Praxedes were rendered impassable due to flooding and landslide.
The Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Barangay Cabagan, Sta. Maria, Isabela was also closed to motorists after heavy flooding.
Warning signs were installed while manpower were deployed in the area to prevent motorists from accessing the bridge.
In Quirino province, the San Pedro Bridge and the NRJ Villa Sur-San Pedro- Cabua-an-Ysmael-Disimungal Road in Barangay Villa Sur, Maddela were closed due to heavy flooding.
In Apayao province, ongoing clearing operations were being conducted in Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road in Barangay Dibagat, Kabugao after a landslide hit the area.
A mudflow also occured in the Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road in Barangay Namaitugan, Calanasan although it was already passable after clearing operations.
In Kalinga province, a rock collapse forced the closure of the Mountain Province boundary Calanan-Pinukpuk-Abbut Road in Tinglayan town.
Jalad advised the public to remain vigilant against the possible effects of Ulysses as it is poised to make landfall over Pollilo Islands and mainland Quezon [province between Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. (Martin Sadongdong)