A total of 20 national roads in Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas were rendered impassable due to flooding, landslides, and debris caused by Tropical Storm Kristine, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
In a travel advisory, the DPWH said 15 of the affected road sections are located in Bicol, four in Northern Samar, and one in Mimaropa, highlighting the storm's significant impact on transportation in these regions.
The Sibuyan Circumferential Road in Romblon has experienced soil collapse and fallen trees, rendering sections K0005+250-K0005+300 in Brgy. Cambijang, Cajidiocan, and K0057+650-K0057+660 in Brgy. Poblacion, Magdiwang impassable.
Severe weather conditions in the Bicol Region have also affected major routes, including the DM DM JCT-Legazpi-Sto. Domingo-Tabaco-Tiwi-Camarines Sur Boundary Road, which has collapsed near Nagas Br. 1; the Albay West Coast Road in Libon, experiencing flooding and soil collapse; and the Ligao-Pio Duran Road, inundated in multiple sections from K0520+0250 to K0520+0300 (Brgy. Malama) and K0503+0800 to K0504+0200 (Brgy. Cavasi and Brgy. Tinampo).
Flooding is prevalent on Oas Poblacion Road at K0496+(-200) to K0496+0100 and K0497+0000 to K0497+0350 (Brgy. Ilaor Norte, Oas), while the Libon-Bacolod-San Vicente-Marocmoc Buga Road is also affected, flooded at K0498+0450 to K0498+0600 (Brgy. Bonbon) and K0489+0700 to K0490+0000 (Brgy. San Isidro, Libon). Further disruptions have been reported along the Talobatib-Jose Panganiban-Poblacion Road throughout Camarines Norte.
Additional closures include the Sta. Elena-Capalonga Bypass Road, which is flooded at K0268+300 in Barangay San Lorenzo, Sta. Elena and the Bagong Silang-Capalonga Road, inundated from K0325+600 to K0325+650 in Barangay Mataque and at K0317+000 in Barangay Old Camp.
Multiple submerged sections have also been noted on the Maharlika Highway, including K0329+802 (Bical Bridge, Brgy. Iberica), K0322+200 (Sitio Mineral, Brgy. Talobatib), K0281+000 (Brgy. Tigbinan), and K0307+900 to K0308+150 (Brgy. Namukanan, Labo).
Intermittent flooding and rockslides have impacted the Pili-Tigaon-Albay Boundary Road from K0479+000 to K0480+000 in Camarines Sur, while the Lagonoy-Presentacion Road is flooded at K0488+800 across several sections, including Kinahulugan and Adiangao.
In Masbate, the San Fernando North Road is flooded at K0015+700 in Barangay Sta. Rosa, and the San Pascual-Claveria Road is experiencing flooding at K0054+470 in Poblacion 1, Claveria.
The Juban-Magallanes Road is inundated from K0609+600 to K0609+725 in Sorsogon, and the Goa-Digdigon-San Isidro Road remains passable only to heavy vehicles due to flooding at K0488+(-600), Camarines Sur.
In Northern Samar, significant road closures include the Catarman-Calbayog Road, which is flooded at K0776+000 in Poblacion Lope De Vega. The Catarman-Laoang Road is also affected, with flooding reported from K0757+900 to K0758+300 in Barangay Chitongco and K0762+000 to K0763+050 in Sitio Banika, Barangay Bugko, Mondragon.
Additionally, the Calbayog-Catarman Road remains submerged from K0787+300 to K0789+500 in Barangay Tarabucan, Calbayog City, while the Pangpang-Palapag-Mapanas-Gamay-Lapinig Road is blocked by debris flow at K0810+500 in Barangay Maragano, Palapag.
As weather conditions stabilize, DPWH teams remain on standby to commence road clearing operations and restore access to these vital routes.