By JEN BAYLON

The lahar caused by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano has contaminated water sources in nearby communities, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday.

Lacson said the lack of drinking water in communities affected by a lahar flow is a major concern after the contamination of bodies of water.

Nearby rivers and streams in La Castellana town and La Carlota City have also been affected by lahar, volcanic waste and sulfur spewed by Kanlaon on Monday night, June 3.

Water shortages were also reported in several barangays in La Carlota and Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City.

Some mobile potable water stations have been set up in affected areas.

Joselito Martinez, village chief of La Castellana’s Barangay Biak na Bato, which was hit by a lahar flow on Wednesday, June 5, said they need potable water as they have enough food for the affected residents.

Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said gray cohesive mud, plant debris and gravel were deposited by lahars in at least four waterways.

These are Tamburong Creek, which courses through La Castellana’s Barangay Biak na Bato and Calapnagan; the Intiguiwan River in Guinpanaan and Baji-Baji Falls in La Castellana’s Barangay Cabacungan; Padudusan Falls in Canlaon City’s Barangay Masulog; and the Binalbagan River, which drains the southern flank of Kanlaon Volcano.

P9.9 million damage

Meanwhile, Lacson said the agricultural damage due to the ash fall triggered by the eruption was at P9.9 million.

Among the affected crops were rice with P1,368,956.35 in damages, corn at P122,250 and high-value commercial crops at P8,501,350.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said several livestock have also been affected by ash fall in the past few days.

Two pigs, four goats and 275 free-range chickens were experiencing respiratory problems due to an ash fall in Bago City’s Barangay Ilijan, the PVO reported.

There were no animal deaths, it added./JB, WDJ