BACOLOD CITY – The minor explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano recently caused ashfall and sulfuric odor to hit 15 barangays of eight local government units in Negros Island.
Ashfall or sulfuric odor were experienced by residents in barangays of Mailum, Ma-ao, Ilijan, Bacong, Abuanan, Tabunan, and Dulao in Bago City, barangay of Araal in La Carlota City, Brgy. Codcod in San Carlos City, Brgy. Punta Taytay in Bacolod City, barangay of Cabagna-an in La Castellana, Brgy. Zamora in Pontevedra and Brgy. Minoyan in Murcia, all in Negros Occidental, and the barangays of Lumapao and Linuthangan in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
It was the 5th eruption since June 3, 2024. It lasted three minutes, emitting a plume that rose about 2,000 meters from the crater.
Pyroclastic density currents were also observed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) flowing down the southern upper slopes of the volcano, within one kilometer of the summit crater.
PHIVOLCS also monitored three ash emissions at Kanlaon Volcano and seven volcanic quakes on Saturday, with events generating grayish plumes that rose up to 300 meters.
Donato Sermeno III, Office of Civil Defense regional director for Negros Island Region, in his report to OCD administrator Harold Cabreros, said as of press time, no pronounced increases in volcanic and earthquakes and ground deformation parameters have followed the eruption.
As of this time, no preemptive evacuation has been advised, and Alert Level 2 has been maintained by PHIVOLCS, Sermeno said
But he said the recent explosive eruption may be followed by further moderate intensity activity such as ash emission events or similar short-lived explosive eruptions.
Such eruptions could produce dangerous volcanic hazards within the 4-kilometer radius permanent danger zone, disperse ash over the general west of the volcano and produce material that could feed lahar in affected drainage canals.
Eighty families, composed of 284 persons, who are residing within the 4-kilometer danger zone, have been staying in six evacuation centers for almost 10 months.
Melchor Sayco, barangay chairman of Mailum in Bago City, disclosed that they are in need of potable water, as their source of water, which is a spring, has been contaminated by the ash fall.
Previous Kanlaon Volcano eruptions were recorded on June 3 and December 9 last year, as well as February 6 and May 13 this year. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)