Muddy stream flow in the waterways of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, caused by the ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano’s recent eruption is posing serious health and environmental risks, the Office of Civil Defense warned on Friday, May 16.
Residents are advised to boil all drinking water and avoid consuming fish from the affected rivers, OCD Negros Island Region Director Donato Sermeno III said.
The muddy stream flow at the Bungahin River in Barangay Robles, La Castellana, was caused by heavy rain that washed down the debris spewed by Kanlaon during its eruption early Tuesday morning, he said.
They received reports that residents caught a lot of fish from the muddy stream flow in the Bungahin River, and they were advised not to eat them, Sermeno added.
Those living near the riverbanks should remain vigilant for sudden changes in water levels or flow, the OCD also warned.
La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan said muddy stream flows were also seen in the waterways in barangays Biak na Bato and Cabagna-an in her town.
Mari-Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Phivolcs La Carlota Observatory, said the muddy stream flow is being caused by the pyroclastic density current or PDC emitted by Kanlaon Volcano during its eruption on Tuesday.
Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Negros Occidental Provincial Health Officer, stressed the need for residents to wear masks when the volcano emits ash to avoid respiratory diseases.
She said during the recent Kanlaon eruption the upper barangays of La Carlota City and Bago City were affected the most and residents were asked to wear masks, which the PHO provided.
They are on the lookout for respiratory diseases and skin irritation, she said.*