By JEN BAYLON
Residents living within Kanlaon Volcano’s four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town are dealing with two crises at once — the volcano’s continuing restlessness and the threat of intense rains brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat.
Data from the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) as of 12:00 noon yesterday showed 2,765 individuals or 903 families in La Castellana have been directly affected by the volcanic activity.
At least 13,049 persons or 3,372 families from surrounding barangays in five local government units (LGUs), have taken precautionary measures due to floods.
There have been no reported casualties or injuries due to the volcanic activities as of the latest report.
Ground shaking due to Kanlaon’s unrest has been recorded across four LGUs.
Three LGUs have noted the presence of a sulfurous odor in the air, signaling the potential for increased volcanic emissions, the PDRRMC said.
Classes have been suspended in four LGUs as a precautionary measure amid the volcanic unrest.
No work suspensions in government offices have been reported.
In Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City, 212 families composed of 667 individuals preemptively evacuated from the PDZ, data from the city government showed.
Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (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.
Kanlaon had emitted an average of 11,556 tons of SO2 per day, Phivolcs said.
It is currently at Alert Level 2 due to “increased unrest” following its explosive eruption on June 3.
100,000 residents affected
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental continues to grapple with the effects of habagat, which has been intensified by Tropical Storms “Ferdie” and “Gener.”
A total of 100,335 residents or 29,838 families have been affected by floods due to intense rains and inclement weather in the province, PDRRMC data as of 5:00 p.m. yesterday showed.
At least 174 barangays in 23 LGUs have been impacted by the severe weather conditions, data added.
A total of 3,466 families or 11,728 individuals have sought temporary shelter inside evacuation centers, while 609 families or 1,963 persons are taking shelter with their relatives.
Nine houses were destroyed while 121 others were partially damaged, data showed.
One individual in Hinoba-an town died, while one person in Sipalay City is still missing.
No injuries have been reported so far, the PDRRMC said.
The adverse weather conditions have triggered 19 flooded areas, eight rain-induced landslides, and two fallen trees.
Six road sections and three bridges remain impassable due to damage caused by flooding and landslides, data said.
Transportation has been heavily disrupted, with the suspension of trips at four seaports.
The monsoon rains also prompted the suspension of classes in 29 LGUs, while four localities have also suspended work in government offices.
The total estimated losses in the agricultural sector amounted to P29,696,772, with 60 barangays reporting damage to rice, high-value crops and corn.
Fisheries in nine barangays have also been affected, with damages totaling P1,063,240, while livestock in 94 households have incurred losses amounting to P889,855.26.
Four LGUs are experiencing intermittent communication issues, while power supply disruptions have affected two LGUs, PDRRMC data said./JB, WDJ