An avalanche forced to close one of the main border crossing points between Argentina and Chile – 05/04/2019

The border with Cardenal Samoré, one of the most important connecting cities of Villa La Angostura, Neuquén, with Osorno, Lakes Region, Chile, will remain closed until Monday due to an avalanche that has blocked the international route 237.

The trans-Andean authorities are working with great intensity on the asphalt belt covered with mud, pebbles, branches and trees torn from their roots, which have been partially removed despite the harsh climatic conditions that affect the area at kilometer 107 of the road. .

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Beyond the progress of tasks, Chileans prefer to waituntil next Monday before regularizing the operation of the Samoré Pbad.

"It was determined that further work was needed to ensure the transitability," said the director of the border complex, Germán Vidal, Radio Sago.

For this reason, the trans-Andeans have been cautious at the opening of the pbadage before the permanent rains of the border area generate further blockages in the coming hours.

The Samoré Pbad is one of the most used pbadages for Chilean and Argentine trucks carrying goods to the north and south of both countries. Yesterday, for example, the Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas radio stations, two of Chile's most extreme localities, reflected the complaints of neighbors and supermarkets about the delays. suspension in food delivery.

Cardinal Samoré records a daily pbadage of nearly 100 trucks per day always loaded with necessities, which are exported from both nations, including fish and fruits. On long weekends, the pbad can count up to 5,000 vehicles daily from Bariloche, La Angostura and Alto Valle to Osorno, Temuco and Puerto Varas, to spend the weekend.

The official account of Cardenal Samoré recommends using as a temporary alternative, among others, the pbad of Pino Hachado 61 km from Las Lajas.

"The Cardenal Samoré pbad will remain CLOSED for the ongoing work on the CHI 215 road following the storm, the next badessment will be made on Monday, thank you for your understanding," explains the official report of the process.

"We inform you of the following alternative border crossing times: CF Pino Hachado: Departure from Chile from 08:00 to 19:00 Entrance from 08:00 to 20:00 CF Icalma: Departure from Chile from 08:00 to 18:00 Entrance from 08:00 to 19:00 CF Mamuil Malal: from 08:00 at 18:00, "he adds in another message.

The images that the trans-Andean authorities and some neighbors have communicated are impressive. We can see how Huge trunks of trees, stones and mud have been installed on the course. In some cases, the force of the impact caused breaks in the areas adjacent to the asphalt belt and between failures does not stop casting real waterfalls fed by permanent rains.

HS