Residents of Negros Occidental have been advised by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) to be vigilant and prepared amid the increasing unrest of Kanlaon Volcano and to refrain from entering the four-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone of the volcano.
Although still at Alert Level 2, the volcano’s current seismic activity may lead to eruptive unrest and an increase in alert level, the agency said.
A total of 288 volcano-tectonic earthquakes have been recorded by the Kanlaon Volcano Network.
Volcanic earthquakes are generated by rock fracturing processes, and the increase in activity strongly indicates progressive rock fracturing beneath the volcano as rising magma drives a path toward the surface.
Rumbling sounds and strong sulfur fumes have been reported in some barangays in Bago and La Carlota cities.
Meanwhile, the San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office advised Barangays Codcod and Quezon to preposition the following assets: community warning system, emergency communications capability, evacuation and transport services, primary evacuation sites (pickup points), as well as livestock and animal rescue, as the Emergency Operation Center is set to activate on September 10.
DOST-Phivolcs maintains close monitoring of Kanlaon Volcano to ensure that stakeholders will be informed and to minimize the risks of volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfall, and others.
Kanlaon Volcano advisory stated that in case of ash fall events that may affect communities downwind of Kanlaon’s crater, the public is advised to cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth or dust mask.
Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit, as ash and ballistic fragments from sudden eruptions can be hazardous to aircraft, it stated.
Communities situated beside river systems on the southern and western slopes, especially those that have already experienced lahars and muddy stream flows, are advised to take precautionary measures whenever heavy rainfall over the volcano has been forecast or has begun. (PIA-6)