The major landslides occurred between late Sunday night and early Monday morning in Ngeremlengui and Ngatpang states.
Commuters between the northern and western states of Babeldaob and Koror had to take alternative routes to get to Koror yesterday after a landslide completely covered a section of the Copmact Road between Aimeliik and the old Daewoo camp. A side of a hill adjacent to this section of the road collapsed and covered both lanes of the road. Traffic had to be diverted to the old gravel road that runs through Nekken and onto Koror.Further north, two more landslides had completely covered both lanes of the Compact Road; however, no as severe. The greater of the two other landslides occurred also in Ngatpang between Nabeyama’s farm and the turn into Ibobang village. Though the landslide completely covered both lanes of this section of the road, enough space was left for cars to drive past it. The lesser of the two occurred in Ngeremlungui near Dr. Roberts’ farm. This site has had reoccurring landslides since the beginning of June.According to a state official, the hills that were cut to make way for the Compact Road need to be stabilized.“Some of the cuts were made too steep,” the official said, “And when it rains, things get loosened and gravity takes over.”Motorists are urged to be extremely cautious when driving through sections of the Compact Road that are adjacent to sloping hills. Landslides are likely to occurred during heavy rains.
