Bacolod City – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) warned that short-lived explosive eruptions of Kanlaon Volcano remain possible, following its eruption on May 13.
Local government units within the hazard zone have been told by PHIVOLCS to prepare in case Kanlaon unrest suddenly escalates, and a hazardous worst-case explosive eruption becomes imminent.
Communities within the 6-kilometer extended danger zone have been strongly advised by PHIVOLCS to remain evacuated due to the danger of PDCs, ballistic projectiles, rockfall and ashfall, and other related hazards that a similar explosive eruption could pose, said a report following the May 13 explosion of Kanlaon Volcano.
From June 3, 2024 up to May 16 this year, PHIVOLCS recorded 5,033 volcanic earthquakes.
However, as of this time, PHIVOLCS said there are no pronounced increases in volcanic quake and ground deformation activity, and increases in volcanic sulfur dioxide emissions and degassing are within average.
Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Kanlaon Volcano.
Despite relatively stable monitoring data, PHIVOLCS cautioned that short-lived explosive eruptions could still occur.
There also remains a possibility of the activity escalating into lava flows or lava fountaining if there are sudden changes in monitoring parameters.
People living within the valleys and along river and stream channels, especially on the southern slope edifice of the volcano, or those affected by the post-eruption lahar should be vigilant in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall, since loose ash or pyroclastic materials have been deposited in the upper slopes and could be easily eroded to form sediment-laden streamflow and lahar, it added.
As of May 18, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas reported that a total of 4,573 families, displaced by Kanlaon eruption in Negros Occidental, who are staying either inside or outside of evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) is now making preparations to choose the permanent resettlement sites for families in four local government units affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption.
Donato Sermeno III, OCD regional director for Negros Island Region, identified the areas as La Castellana, La Carlota City, Bago City, and San Carlos City.
He said that San Carlos City was not included in the initial deliberations of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Negros Occidental.
Sermeno said that the intention of San Carlos City to put up its own permanent evacuation site for residents of Brgy. Codcod will be submitted to the Technical Working Group and their representatives who will assess the proposed site.
In La Carlota City, three sites were submitted as permanent evacuation centers in Barangays Haguimit, San Miguel and La Granja,
He, however, said that those areas are seen to be affected by Pyroclastic Density Currents in case of a major eruption.
Sermeno said the La Carlota City government was asked to look for other relocation sites.
Meanwhile the proposed evacuation sites of La Castellana in Brgys. Talaptap and Lalagsan have already been approved, but Sermeno said the owner of the Lalagsan site does not want to sell the property.
He also said that the proposed relocation site of Bago City has been identified as a tsunami-prone area. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)