Major Eastern Samar road remains closed after series of landslides
By Marie Tonette MarticioÂ
TACLOBAN City – The Wright-Taft road remained impassable after a series of landslides in Barangay Binaloan, Taft, Eastern Samar started to hit the area on January 3.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Eastern Samar District Engineering Office, about 15,000 cubic meters of boulders and debris gave way from the mountainside and landed on the road in the latest landslide incident on January 7.
DPWH continued to undertake clearing operations, but the road would remain closed because of other possible landslides that may occur in the area.
It can be recalled that prior to the incident on January 7, two landslides were reported on January 3 about 400 meters from the area.
Two passenger vehicles and a utility van were overwhelmed by the landslide. No one was reportedly hurt during the incident.
Reports said the town has been experiencing heavy rains causing the soil to loosen, which could have triggered the landslides.
Motorists coming from Tacloban are advised to take an alternate route via Buenavista-Lawaan-Marabut.