By JEN BAYLON
Thirteen local government units (LGUs) in Negros Island Region (NIR) are at risk of lahar flows from Kanlaon Volcano’s explosive eruption last week, the Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) said.
The affected LGUs include Negros Occidental cities of Bago, La Carlota and Himamaylan, as well as the towns of Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Valladolid, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla; and Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City.
At least 644,487 residents are at risk of lahar flows from Kanlaon, OCD-6 said.
The agency has also issued warnings about potential hazards associated with lahars, advising residents to remain vigilant.
“With a low pressure area expected to bring heavy rains in the coming days, populations at risk are strongly advised to stay away from river channels, streams and areas identified as lahar-prone,” the OCD-6 said in an advisory.
“Know the nearest evacuation center and be ready to move when advised. Stay updated and monitor official weather updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and alerts from your LGU,” it added.
With evacuation orders already in place for families living within Kanlaon’s six-kilometer expanded danger zone over the weekend, local officials are urging compliance to ensure public safety.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) in NIR issued a critical advisory on lahar flows yesterday.
DOH-NIR advises residents to follow precautionary measures such as:
* Avoid areas near rivers or bodies of water that may be affected by lahar flows
* Stay indoors, and keep windows and doors closed to prevent ash from entering
* Wear protective masks to filter out harmful particles
* Use goggles to protect the eyes from irritation caused by ash
* Avoid driving during heavy ash fall
* If going outdoors, wear long sleeves and long pants to minimize skin exposure
* Those experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention immediately at the nearest health center
Lahar can cause severe health effects, including irritation to the eyes and airways, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and difficulty breathing, DOH-NIR Director Razel Nikka Hao said.
Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions may experience exacerbated symptoms.
The precautions against lahars underscore the potential for rains brought by a low pressure area expected in the coming days.
This could lead to more substantial lahar flows as rainwater washes down ash deposits left by Kanlaon’s recent eruption.
Lahar is a rapidly flowing mixture of volcanic materials, such as ash and rock fragments, combined with water.
It can travel at 75 to 80 kilometers per hour on steep slopes, posing significant risks to life and property.
Over 9,500 evacuees remain
Meanwhile, 9,542 individuals, comprising around 3,000 families, remain in evacuation centers following Kanlaon’s magmatic eruption on December 9, data from the Negros Occidental Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council showed yesterday.
La Castellana has the highest number of evacuees, with 2,179 families or 6,664 individuals.
In Bago City, 126 families or 413 individuals have sought refuge in evacuation centers, while La Carlota City is housing 695 families or 2,446 individuals.
There were no evacuees reported in the towns of Moises Padilla, Murcia and Pontevedra, as well as San Carlos City.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology hoisted Alert Level 3 over Kanlaon after its magmatic eruption, prompting mandatory evacuations for residents living within the six-kilometer expanded danger zone.
The eruption produced a large plume that rose approximately 3,000 meters into the atmosphere, resulting in widespread ash fall, affecting numerous communities./JB, WDJ