The local government of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental is closely monitoring its communities following a rainfall on Monday, January 6, raising concerns about the possibility of lahar flow from Mt. Kanlaon.

The city government said rains could increase the risk of lahar, a mixture of volcanic ash and water.

However, local authorities have observed that the wind direction is currently pushing volcanic ash towards the west, which is not expected to affect major populated areas.

Edna Lhou Masicampo, Canlaon City information officer-designate, assured the public that the local government is taking appropriate precautions, with trucks, logistics, and staff ready to respond.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7), meanwhile, is conducting training on Wednesday and Thursday to add more camp managers at evacuation centers.

Masicampo said the 93 camp managers spread across 10 evacuation centers “are already exhausted” since their deployment on December 9 when Mt. Kanlaon erupted.

As of posting time, there are 1,398 families or 4,497 individuals inside the evacuation centers. (PNA)