Twelve barangays in Negros Occidental could potentially be affected by lava flow in case of Kanlaon Volcano’s magmatic eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Based on its lava flow hazard map released yesterday, Phivolcs said nine barangays in La Castellana town are likely to be affected by lava flow, such as Biak na Bato, Cabagnaan, Masulog, Puso, Cabacungan, Manghanoy, Mansalanao, Camandag, and Sag-ang.
Of the 12 villages, Biak na Bato and Cabagnaan are considered “high danger areas.”
Moises Padilla town’s Barangay Guinpana-an, La Carlota City’s Barangay San Miguel, and Bago City’s Barangay Ilijan are classified as “low danger areas” for lava flows.
In a radio interview yesterday, Phivolcs said Kanlaon’s current seismic activity indicates that the volcano is likely to erupt in a magmatic explosion due to its high sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions.
However, Phivolcs also clarified that a non-explosive magmatic eruption is also possible.
Phivolcs had earlier warned the public to be vigilant amid Kanlaon’s unrest.
“SO2 emissions are at their highest. There is a possibility of an Alert Level 3 scenario, with potential magmatic inclusion, making an eruption imminent and dangerous for nearby residents,” Engineer Mari Andylene Quintia, Phivolcs resident volcanologist at Kanlaon Volcano Observatory, said.
Volcanic earthquakes increased by 49 from 288 reported on Tuesday, September 10.
“Some earthquakes at the volcano reached magnitude 3, and were felt by residents in barangays close to the volcano in Canlaon City, Bago City and La Castellana,” Quintia said.
Kanlaon is currently at Alert Level 2 due to “increased unrest” following its explosive eruption on June 3.
Earlier, Kanlaon had emitted an average of 11,556 tons of SO2 per day, Phivolcs said in an advisory.
“This significant spike in gas emissions is the highest recorded from Kanlaon and signals a potential escalation of volcanic activity,” it said.
Sulfuric fumes were reported in La Carlota City’s Barangay San Miguel, San Carlos City’s Barangay Codcod, Moises Padilla town’s Barangay Inolingan, as well as Barangay Pula in Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City.
Residents in nearby local government units are being urged to take precautions, as sulfuric fumes have already been detected in these locations.
“Prolonged exposure to volcanic SO2, especially in communities within direct reach of accumulation of plumes during low wind conditions, can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract,” the agency said.
Phivolcs encourages residents in affected areas to use N95 face masks, stay indoors, shut doors and windows, drink plenty of water, seek medical help if needed, and be vigilant against possible volcanic eruptions.
Kanlaon’s last magmatic eruption was in 1902.
423 residents evacuated
Meanwhile, 423 individuals or 145 families were evacuated from four barangays in Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City due to the Kanlaon Volcano’s unrest.
Thirteen individuals were evacuated from Barangay Pula, 254 from Barangay Masulog, 141 from Barangay Malaiba, and 15 from Barangay Lumapao, data from the local government unit showed yesterday.
In a meeting of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Canlaon Mayor Jose Cardenas ordered the mandatory wearing of face masks to mitigate the effects of SO2 on residents in the area.
A curfew was also in force starting at 10:00 p.m., and a liquor ban is also being implemented in the city.
The city government reminded residents to stay indoors, close doors and windows and refrain from going outside to avoid exposure to volcanic gases and ashfall./ With Jen Baylon / WDJ