Bitlis-Baykan Road Hit by Landslide
A landslide occurred on the Bitlis-Baykan highway, causing road closure due to falling soil and rock pieces. The incident took place at the 40th kilometer of the highway connecting Bitlis and Siirt’s Baykan district.
The rock fragments and soil piles that broke away from the slope due to rains flowed onto the road, prompting the closure of the highway. However, teams from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), Highways, Special Provincial Administration, and State Hydraulic Works were dispatched to the region to address the situation.
Following their work, the road was opened to single-lane traffic in a controlled manner. In a statement by the Bitlis Emergency Disaster and Situation Directorate, it was noted that necessary traffic precautions were taken as the rock near the Yenice Gendarmerie Station on the 40th kilometer of the Bitlis-Baykan road posed a danger. The Directorate also mentioned that road widening work has been started with the support of excavators from DSI and the Special Provincial Administration, and that the road will soon be opened to traffic in both directions.
This incident serves as a reminder of the constant threat of landslides in certain regions, and the importance of proactive measures to ensure the safety of roadways. It is also a testament to the swift response and effective coordination of the emergency response teams in addressing such challenges.
