Dozens of Landslides Block Key Road Between Lara and Falcón in Venezuela

More than twenty landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall in western Venezuela, have completely blocked the crucial road connecting Lara and Falcón states. The affected area is the Urdaneta municipality in Lara, where the downpours have caused significant disruption to traffic.

Félix Ducharne, the Secretary of Public Works for the Lara government, confirmed the severity of the mudslides in the northern part of the state. He stated that the precipitation carried substantial amounts of rock and mud onto the road surface, burying drainage systems entirely. "For the route to Siquisique, we have more than 23 landslide impacts. The rains moved rock material, stones, and sand that have covered everything up to two meters high," Ducharne reported.

In addition to the extensive landslides in the north, regional authorities have deployed technical teams to the Manguito Abajo sector in the southern part of Barquisimeto. Here, a different issue has arisen: a structural failure, described as a "falla de borde," has undermined a section of the road, reducing it to a single lane of traffic.

To address the problem in Manguito Abajo, officials have begun constructing gabion walls. This measure aims to stabilize the terrain and ensure the continued mobility of agricultural producers in the area, who rely on this route for transporting their goods. The efforts to clear the debris and stabilize the affected roads are ongoing.