Mandatory evacuations have been ordered, while classes were suspended in local government units surrounding the Kanlaon volcano in central Negros, following an advisory issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on the increased seismic activity of the volcano.
In Executive Order No. 63, Series of 2024, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas ordered recently the mandatory evacuation of residents and suspension of classes within the 4 kilometer permanent danger zone, in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo also prohibited human activity within a six kilometer radius of Kanlaon volcano, as residents have experienced continuous ground shaking and the stench of sulfur, due to the ongoing volcanic activity.
Mayor Rex Jalandoon ordered a preemptive evacuation in Barangays Araal, Yubo, San Miguel and Haguimit in La Carlota City, due to increased volcanic quakes in areas surrounding Mt. Canlaon.
An advisory issued by PHIVOLCS said it logged 288 volcano tectonic (VT) earthquakes since midnight of September 10.
VT earthquakes, according to PHIVOLCS, are generated by rock fracturing processes and the increase in VT activity strongly indicates progressive rock-fracturing beneath the volcano as rising magma drives a path towards the surface.
It said that the events were generated at depths between zero to nine kilometers beneath the north-eastern flanks of the volcanic edifice, and the strongest events were felt at Intensity II in some barangays of Canlaon City.
Rumbling sounds were also reported by some residents of Bago City, with strong sulfur fumes reported in several barangays of Bago and La Carlota City in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon Citiy in Negros Oriental.
PHIVOLCS raised the possibility that the current seismic activity may lead to eruptive unrest and an increase in the Alert Level.
It also noted elevated volcanic sulfur dioxide gas emissions yesterday, which averaged 9,985 tons per day, considered as the highest emission recorded from the volcano since instrumental gas monitoring started.
Sulfuric odors were also reported in Brgy. Ilijan, Bago City, Brgys. Araal and San Miguel in La Carlota City, Brgys. Masulog, Linothangan, and Pula in Canlaon City.
PHIVOLCS warned that prolonged exposure to sulfur dioxide, especially in communities within direct reach of accumulation from plumes during low wind conditions, can cause irritation of the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract.
As of this time, Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) prevails over Kanlaon volcano.
An advisory issued by the San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said that schools in areas affected by the recent ground shakings may suspend classes, or keep their learners safe in school, and coordinate with their parents to move to safer zones away from where danger is imminent.
Classes in all levels, both in public and private, in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, were suspended yesterday.
PHIVOLCS strongly advised the public to be ready and vigilant, and to avoid entry into the four-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), to minimize risks from volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfall and others.
It also prohibits pilots from flying close to the volcano’s summit, as ash and ballistic fragments from sudden eruptions can be hazardous to aircraft.
Communities living beside river systems on the southern and western slopes, especially those that have already experienced lahar and muddy streamflows, are advised to take precautionary measures when heavy rainfall over the volcano is forecast or has begun, PHIVOLCS further said. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)