VIRAC, Catanduanes, Philippines?Three towns on the western side of the island province has been cut off from this capital town by a big landslide and a flooded spillway along the national highway, the Department of Public Works and Highways said Friday.

DPWH District Engineer Ignacio Odiaman said a landslide, triggered by rains due to typhoon ?Pepeng,? at Barangay Dariao in Caramoran rendered impassable the national road to the town as well as neighboring Pandan, 95 km from Virac.

He also reported that the Paturok spillway in San Andres along the circumferential road was also flooded and impassable to all kinds of vehicles, cutting off traffic between Virac and San Andres, the second biggest town.

Despite the bad weather, at least two buses bound for the northern towns of Gigmoto and Bagamanoc on the eastern side of the province picked up passengers at the flooded terminal near the Virac port.

Gov. Joseph Cua was in his office as early as 7 a.m. to monitor the situation.

Five families from a flood-prone area of Barangay Francia have taken shelter at the provincial capitol lobby.

Government offices remained closed while some business establishments, especially bakeries and grocery stores, opened shop in the capital town. Streets near the Catanduanes National High School and the Catanduanes State Colleges are partly ankle-deep in flood water.