At least 27 families, comprising 92 individuals, have safely evacuated to designated shelters following heavy rains that triggered volcanic debris and lahar flow from Mt. Kanlaon down Ibid Creek in Sitio Tamburong, Barangay Biak-na-Bato, La Castellana, on Tuesday, Sept. 15, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reported.
The downpour caused the creek to overflow around 5:30 p.m. carrying mudflow and volcanic debris toward nearby residential areas. Barangay Kagawad Allan Tomaquin immediately coordinated the preemptive evacuation of residents in high-risk zones, La Castellana Public Information Officer Remuel Lajo said.
The evacuated population includes vulnerable individuals such as senior citizens, pregnant women, and a lactating mother, the PRC Negros Occidental-Bacolod City Chapter reported.
Local RC143 volunteers have been alerted and deployed to the scene, providing first aid services and Psychological First Aid to displaced residents, the PRC said.
While internet connectivity in the area remains weak, power lines and major road networks remain fully functional and passable, the PRC said, adding that the lahar flow had weakened Tuesday night.
Emergency response units continue to monitor the situation along Ibid Creek and nearby communities surrounding Kanlaon Volcano, it added.*
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