Philippines: Disruptions reported following magnitude-7.0 earthquake in northern Luzon, morning July 27 /update 2

Event

A magnitude-7.0 earthquake occurred in Abra Province, Cordillera Administrative Region at around 08:43 PST July 27. The epicenter was about 11 km (7 miles) east-southeast of Dolores. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and very strong shaking was likely felt throughout Abra Province, while strong to moderate shaking was probably felt throughout northern and central Cordillera Administrative Region, northern Cordillera Administrative Region, and western Cagayan Valley. Moderate to light shaking was probably felt throughout the rest of northern Luzon. A magnitude-4.9 aftershock was recorded 09:29 July 27. Additional moderate to light aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Reports indicate damage to structures, including buildings and roads in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and National Capital Region. A landslide has blocked the Governor Bado Dangwa National Road in Benguet Province; motorists traveling to Paykek, Kapangan, and Kibungan are advised to take the Labueg-Datakan Barangay Road. Authorities in Baguio City have suspended work and classes in the public and private sectors. Power outages have been reported in San Isidro Town in Abra Province and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte Province; authorities have confirmed that there is no large-scale damage to power infrastructure. No casualties have been reported. It could take several hours until authorities complete comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas.

Authorities temporarily halted operations of Manila City's Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 for inspections in case of damage. The senate building in Manila was also evacuated. The Philippine National Railways has temporarily suspended the Metro North and Metro South Commuter Service until they can verify that the tracks are safe. Officials may temporarily shut down additional transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.