Seven National Road Sections in Northern Luzon Impassable Due to Cyclones.

MANILA: Seven national road sections in Northern Luzon remain impassable due to the combined effects of tropical cyclones Nika, Ofel, and Pepito as of 6 a.m. Saturday. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported additional road closures in Apayao, Ifugao, and Batanes caused by landslides, soil collapses, and washed-out infrastructure.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DPWH Bureau of Maintenance identified the affected road sections as follows: Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road, Lacnab Section, Barangay Kabugawan, Calanasan, Apayao due to soil collapse; Apayao (Calanasan)-Ilocos Norte Road, Ayayao Section, Barangay Eva, Calanasan, Apayao due to soil collapse; Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Bdry Road, Tukucan, Tinoc, Ifugao due to landslide; Kalinga-Abra Road, Ableg, Pasil, Kalinga due to soil collapse and fallen trees; Basco-Mahatao-Ivana-Uyugan-Imnajbu Road, Barangay Kayvaluganan and Itbud sections, Uyugan, Batanes due to landslide, mud, and debris flow; Dugo-San Vicente Road (Mission-Sta Ana
Section) San Jose Bridge, San Jose, Gonzaga, Cagayan due to washed out bridge approach/road cut; and Cagayan-Apayao Road, Itawes Overflow Bridge 1 and 2, Sta Barbara, Piat, Cagayan, due to scoured bridge approach.

The DPWH Disaster and Incident Management Teams with Quick Response Assets in all regions of Luzon and in Eastern Visayas are currently prepositioned for Super Typhoon Pepito. The teams, composed of 6,697 manpower with 1,352 equipment, are set to carry out road monitoring, reporting, clearing operations, and palliative measures on damaged infrastructure.

Pepito is forecast to make landfall in the vicinity of Catanduanes Saturday night or early Sunday morning, as reported by state weather bureau PAGASA. Meanwhile, Ofel is expected to emerge over the sea east of Taiwan by early Sunday morning.