By JEN BAYLON
Kanlaon Volcano erupted explosively yesterday afternoon, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to hoist Alert Level 3 over the volcano, indicating magmatic unrest.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the eruption lasted for seven minutes at 3:03 p.m., with Kanlaon emitting plumes reaching approximately 3,000 meters and drifting west-southwest.
Bacolcol said pyroclastic density currents from the summit descended the slopes on the southeastern edifice.
He added that the Negros Occidental cities of Bago and La Carlota, as well as the municipalities of La Castellana, Moises Padilla and Isabela could be affected by ash fall as the plumes drifted to the western and southwestern sides of the volcano.
Alert Level 3 indicated that the magmatic eruption may progress to further explosive eruptions, the Phivolcs said.
The agency advised residents to evacuate from Kanlaon’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone, and must be prepared for additional evacuation if activity warrants.
“We’re expecting lahars. So we’re reminding residents who live near the river along the slope of the volcano to be careful,” Bacolcol said.
The agency also reminded residents around Kanlaon’s vicinity to take necessary measures to keep themselves safe from the eruption.
The measures include the removal of volcanic ash that accumulated on the roofs; washing windows, doors and even vehicles using soap and water; as well as cleaning food that may have been exposed to ash fall.
Kanlaon Volcano had six volcanic earthquakes and had a 16-minute ash emission over the weekend, Phivolcs said.
It also released 4,638 tons of sulfur dioxide on Sunday, December 8, as well as a moderate 300-meter-tall plume.
The recent eruption marks Kanlaon’s second volcanic event this year.
Continuous seismic activity has been recorded since its phreatic eruption in June.
Evacuation
Meanwhile, the Canlaon City government in Negros Oriental ordered a forced evacuation for residents living within Kanlaon’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone in Barangays Pula, Masulog, Malaiba, and Lumapao.
Evacuations were also conducted in four upland villages in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town, municipal police officer Staff Sergeant Ronel Arevalo said.
However, he did not have the total number of evacuated residents as of press time.
In Bago City, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office advised residents residing near Kanlaon to stay indoors amid the eruption.
The local government units that suspended classes at all levels yesterday afternoon until further notice due to the eruption were the cities of La Carlota and Bago City, as well as the towns of La Castellana, Isabela, Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, and Pulupandan./JB, WDJ