Access to Cuenca is limited by road closures; Cuenca-Girón-Machala highway is covered in mud
Continuing rain is creating havoc for motorists attempting to leave and enter Cuenca. On Wednesday morning, the Pan American highway from Cuenca to Girón and Machala remained closed following the collapse of two agricultural reservoirs in Victoria del Portete, 16 kilometers south of Cuenca.
Ministry of Transportation officials say a continuing flow of water and mud across the highway has “compromised the structure” of the roadway.
The National Meteorology Institute predicts rain to continue in all parts of the country through the weekend.
Small vehicles can use the Cumbe-Victoria del Portete Station road to bypass the closure but heavy vehicles are required to use the Cuenca-Zhud-Cochancay-Puerto Inca highway to reach Machala and other points south of Cuenca.
According to the National Transportation Coop, the alternative route adds almost five hours to trips.
Vehicular passage has also been restricted on the Cuenca-Molleturo-Guayaquil highway through the Cajas Mountains due to three landslides. The Transportation Ministry reports its crews have been able to keep one lane open in the affected areas.
Other highways to Cuenca, to the north and to the Amazon region, were open early Wednesday but subject to closure, the ministry reported. Two landslides have been partially cleared on the Pan American highway through Cañar Province but ministry officials warn of additional stoppages are likely. The Cuenca-Méndez-Guarumale higway to the Amazon, was reopened late Tuesday but traffic is restricted to one lane at several points.
Nationally, the ministry reported 33 road closures Tuesday night and said it could take at least 24 hours to clear 12 of them. It added that road clearance depends on the weather.
In Cuenca, three of the city’s four rivers have been at or just below flood stage during the past 36 hours and officials continue to caution resident to stay away from riverbanks. The municipal Citizens Guard is monitoring points on the Tomebamba and Yanuncay rivers it says are subject to bank collapse.
The National Meteorology Institute predicts rain to continue in all parts of the country through the weekend.
