By JEN BAYLON
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) urged residents near Kanlaon Volcano to be vigilant after rains triggered a lahar flow in a village on Wednesday, June 5.
“Lahars can threaten communities along the middle and lower slopes with inundation, burial and wash out,” the Phivolcs said in an advisory.
Phivolcs said they “strongly recommend” increased vigilance and readiness of communities along rivers near Kanlaon.
“These communities and local government units are advised to continually monitor weather conditions and take pre-emptive response measures for their safety from potential lahars,” it added.
Phivolcs said thunderstorms caused lahars or volcanic sediment flows on Kanlaon’s southern slopes, as detected by three seismic stations of the Kanlaon Volcano Network.
The heavy lahar flow reported at Barangay Biak na Bato in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town on Wednesday afternoon, was triggered by strong rains, which washed out volcanic debris, including ash, spewed by the volcano on Monday night, June 3.
Phivolcs said gray cohesive mud, plant debris and gravel were deposited by lahars in at least four waterways, including Tamburong Creek in Biak na Bato, which courses through La Castellana town’s Barangay Calapnagan.
About 141 families in the village were forced to evacuate due to the mud flow, which rendered the national road impassable for several hours.
Lahar flows were also reported in La Castellana’s Barangay Masulog and Cabagna-an.
Meanwhile, Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, in a radio interview yesterday, said the area is now passable following the lahar flow.
“Vehicles can now pass through the road, but the cleanup may take a long time,” Gerangaya said.
“The ash fall can also harden. The challenge now for the [Department of Public Works and Highways] is to clear up the waterways. It’s possible when there is heavy rain and typhoon, it could cause flood,” he added.
27 volcanic earthquakes
A total of 27 volcanic earthquakes were recorded at Kanlaon Volcano on Wednesday, June 5, the Phivolcs said.
Kanlaon has emitted 3,464 tons of sulfur dioxide since Monday night.
A 1,500-meter high plume spewed by the volcano was also observed.
The Phivolcs maintained Alert Level 2 on Kanlaon, warning residents of possible eruptions, citing the possibility of steam or phreatic explosions.
Kanlaon Volcano, located on Negros Island, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country. / With reports from PNA / JB, WDJ