The entry of evacuees into Mt. Kanlaon’s 6-kilometer extended danger zone (EDZ) to carry out farming and livelihood activities is still suspended as the threat of another volcanic eruption remains.
Kanlaon had 12 volcanic earthquakes and its sulfur dioxide flux was 789 tons from 12 a.m. Tuesday to 12 a.m. Wednesday, Donato Sermeno III, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Negros Island Region director and Task Force Kanlaon vice chairperson, said.
Similar indicators were experienced prior to two previous eruptions, he said.
Low sulfur dioxide emission is an indicator that the volcano’s conduits may be blocked, and that a buildup of pressure within the volcano could result in an eruption.
The OCD suspended the daily entry into the 6-kilometer EDZ from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the setting up of tents at the Cabacungan National High School grounds for evacuees being transferred out of classrooms is ongoing, Sermeno said.
The evacuees displaced by Kanlaon’s unrest who have been living in classrooms since December are being transferred to make way for the resumption of face-to-face classes.*