Motorists stranded for hours amid flooding on NLEX-San Simon Interchange

Many motorists were stranded for hours along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in San Simon, Pampanga as floods caused traffic congestion on Monday morning.

Some motorists said they had been stuck since around midnight, while others spent up to six hours before getting past the flooded portion of the expressway, according to a report on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

NLEX vice president for traffic operations Robin Ignacio said floodwaters outside the expressway rose and eventually affected portions of the NLEX.

The flooding started on Friday but worsened over the weekend.

“Towards itong weekend hanggang kahapon medyo tumaas po yung tubig kaya lalo pong nahihirapan ‘yung ating mga sasakyan na dumaan po dyan sa portion ng expressway na yan,” Ignacio told Unang Balita in an interview.

(Towards the weekend until yesterday, floodwaters rose causing vehicles to experience difficulty in passing the portion of the expressway.)

“Meron po tayong mga sandbagging na po dyan sa tabi para makapag-pump out po ng tubig para mapanatiling kahit papaano ay mas mababa ang tubig dito sa loob kaysa sa labas ng expressway,” he added.

As of the latest update, the northbound traffic tail-end had reached Candaba, extending for more than seven kilometers. The southbound traffic, meanwhile, had around five to six kilometers.

Ignacio said Class 1 vehicles were being directed to the innermost lane, while trucks and buses were allowed to use the second lane.

He advised motorists to avoid traveling if their trips were not urgent or necessary. Those already on the expressway were warned to expect prolonged traffic while passing through the San Simon area.

Motorists who needed to travel were advised to bring enough food and drinking water. NLEX had also been distributing bottled water to stranded motorists since Friday but the large number of affected motorists made it difficult to provide supplies, according to Ignacio.

For drivers of smaller vehicles who were hesitant to cross the flooded portion, Ignacio said they could stay on Lane 1. At the San Simon Interchange, they could also take the exit and re-enter the expressway. — RSJ, GMA News