BAGUIO CITY—Motorists are advised to avoid Kennon Road, the shortest route to and from this city, due to threats of landslide.
The Office of Civil Defense Cordillera (OCD-CAR), in its latest advisory at 2 p.m. Thursday, relayed the information from the Department of Public Works and Highways Cordillera (DPWH-CAR) that “due to threats of landslide brought about by the continuous rains, motorists are advised to take Marcos Highway or Naguillian road for safety reasons.”
The advisory said one section of Kennon Road, particularly at Camp 3 is only one way passable due to mudslide.
While no major landslides or road cuts have occurred at Kennon Road in the past months that would prevent motorists from passing through the historic road, the DPWH maintains its advisory against taking the said road during continuous rains as rocks and stones fall from the mountains, causing accidents.
This condition of the road has persisted for many years following the 1990 killer earthquake that disturbed the slope of the mountain, causing landslides and rocks to fall, especially during the rainy season.
The standing advisory on Kennon Road is for motorists to avoid traversing it after two hours of continuous heavy rain to prevent any inconvenience or untoward incident.
Baguio City and the rest of Benguet have experienced heavy rains since the start of the week.
All other roads in the Cordillera region are open to vehicular traffic. PNA-northboundasia.com