An explosive eruption at Kanlaon Volcano Monday afternoon caused heavy ash fall, a rain of small stones and strong sulfur odor that prompted at least six local governments in Negros Island to begin the evacuation of thousands of residents on Monday, Dec. 9.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised Kanlaon’s alert level to 3, which means magmatic eruption has begun that may progress to further explosive eruptions, Mari Andylene Quintia, Phivolcs resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, said.
As the threat of eruption from Kanlaon Volcano intensifies, an urgent evacuation operation is underway, affecting approximately 87,000 residents in the surrounding areas, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced.
Classes have been cancelled in the affected local government units where the skies turned gray with ash on Monday. Plants, roads and rooftops also were covered in ash is areas close to the volcano.
The explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano at 3:03 p.m. and lasted until 3:07 p.m., Quintia said.
Pyroclastic density currents or PDCs descended the slopes on the general southeastern edifice based on IP and thermal camera monitors, she said.
A loud explosion called a shockwave was also heard, Quintia said.
Ashfall at the Guintubdan Spring in La Carlota City.* La Carlota City Water District photo
Ashfall was reported at the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia, Bago City, La Carlota City and La Castellana in Negros Occidental, Quintia said.
EVACUATION
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said as of 10 p.m. Monday evacuation was ongoing in La Castellana affecting 1,132 residents, Bago – 131 families, La Carlota – 673 families, Moises Padilla – 4 families and Pontevedra – 200 families.
La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan said residents of barangays Biak na Bato, Sag-ang and Mansalanao would be evacuated.
Brgy. Cabagnaan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, evacuation *La Castellana MDRRMO photo
Bago Mayor Nicholas Yulo said there was heavy ash fall in Barangay Mailum that had also reached the center of the city.
Residents from barangays Ilijan and Mailum in Bago City who experienced heavy ashfall, a rain of small stones and heavy sulfur smell were being evacuated, Dr. Merijene Ortizo, Bago City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer, said.
Mayor Rex Jalandoon said evacuation was underway in four a sitios in Barangay Yubo and he has also ordered preemptive evacuations in barangays Araal and Hagimit in La Carlota City.
Evacuation in Bago City*
The entire La Carlota City has been hit by ashfall and sulfur odor, he said.
The three LGUs along with Isabela town in Negros Occidental cancelled classes following the eruption.
Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas also cancelled classes and work at government offices in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
He said residents of two barangays – Masulog and Mansalanao in Canlaon were being evacuated.
They were prioritizing evacuation from areas that experienced ash fall, he said.
IACC ACTIVATED
Department of National Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairman Gilberto Teodoro Jr. activated the National Inter-agency Coordinating Cell (IACC) to coordinate response efforts, emphasizing the necessity for in-person duty from member agencies at the NDRRMOC starting Tuesday, December 10.
The gravity of the situation is particularly acute in La Castellana, where an estimated 46,900 individuals are within the 4-6 km danger zone. Authorities are focusing on Barangay Sag-ang due to prevailing westward wind directions, which pose additional risks from ashfall, the OCD reported.
Transportation support is urgently needed for the evacuation of communities in Barangay Cabagnaan, as well as those in Himamaylan, Hinigaran, Isabela, Pontevedra, and Moises Padilla, it added.
A staging area has been established in front of the La Castellana municipal hall, and schools with suspended classes will be utilized as evacuation centers, it said.
PANAAD READIED
In preparation for the worst-case scenario, Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City has been designated as the primary evacuation center, with the capacity to accommodate up to 30,000 evacuees, the OCD said.
Water tanks will be prepositioned in evacuation centers to ensure an adequate supply.
The OCD is mobilizing resources, including the deployment of 2,100 face masks and 1,000 family hygiene kits to Bacolod City, alongside requests for a water filtration truck from the OCD Rapid Deployment Team.
Guimaras that has also been affected by ashfall.
Teodoro has directed the Regional Director of OCD Western Visayas to assume command of the overall Task Force operations, ensuring comprehensive monitoring and assessment across the affected areas.
As communities brace for further developments, the OCD is actively coordinating the provision of essential supplies, including face masks, food packs, and mobile kitchens to support evacuees.
The immediate focus remains on safeguarding the health and safety of those impacted by the volcanic activity, the OCD said.
FLIGHTS CANCELLED
Cebu Pacific flights from Iloilo International Airport to Manila and and Singapore were cancelled on Monday due to the Kanlaon eruption, the Civil Aviation Authority announced.
There were no flight cancellations from the Bacolod Silay Airport.*