By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Heavy rains brought by the intertropical convergence zone triggered a landslide along the Eco-translink Highway in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Based on information released by the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), the landslide late Friday night temporarily blocked the said highway which connects the city to the town of Don Salvador Benedicto.

The DRRMO reported that the landslide took place at the Dukog-dukog area, rendering the road impassable to traffic.

The DRRMO, Department of Public Works and Highways and the city’s engineering office noted that they encountered some difficulties in removing the debris which consisted of large boulders, and they were forced to deploy their heavy equipment in the site to clear the obstacle.

The DRRMO also deployed several vehicles in order to shuttle the stranded bus passengers who were heading to the city at the time of the landslide.

They added that there were no casualties when the landslide occurred.

The highway was later opened on Saturday morning, October 16, after authorities cleared the majority of the rubble, although they still advised motorists travelling the area to avoid passing the highway during night time or inclement weather conditions./DGB, WDJ