The Public Works Department (PWD) has issued a public advisory after a landslide affected the Klems Hill road following heavy rainfall on Efate on Sunday night.

An immediate on-site visual and safety assessment carried out by PWD yesterday confirmed active slope instability and significant erosion of the embankment and road pavement structure. Authorities have assessed the situation as medium risk, warning that continued heavy rain could worsen the condition.

PWD reported that if current weather conditions persist, erosion beneath the narrow road could extend into the second traffic lane, posing a serious hazard to road users. The site will continue to be closely monitored.

As an immediate mitigation measure, PWD has begun temporary water diversion works at the upper section of the road and placed sandbags to control surface runoff and reduce further water infiltration that could increase the risk of collapse.

An urgent briefing was held yesterday between the Minister responsible for Public Works, Hon. Xavier Emmanuel Harry, and the Director General, Directors, and senior managers under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU). The meeting focused on medium- and long-term engineering solutions for the affected road section.

PWD will work closely with VAI4D and WGA (Design Team) to carry out detailed geotechnical and risk assessments, which will inform proposals and designs for a long-term stabilization solution.

PWD is strongly advising all road users to strictly follow traffic signs and instructions from traffic controllers, reduce speed, and exercise extreme caution when travelling through the affected area.

Authorities stressed that public safety remains the highest priority, and further updates will be provided as assessments and stabilization works progress.