Kanlaon Volcano will remain under Alert Level 2 for now despite its recent moderately explosive eruption, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Teresito Bacolcol said on Tuesday, March 17.
The recent moderately explosive eruptions at Kanlaon are consistent with its Alert Level 2 status, he said.
“For now, we are not considering raising it to Alert Level 3… at this point, the assessment remains at Alert Level 2,” Bacolcol said.
However, residents living beyond Kanlaon’s 4-kilometer permanent danger zone must be ready at any time should activities at Kanlaon escalate to Alert Level 3, Bacolcol added.
Donato Sermeno III, Director of the Office of Civil Defense for the Negros Island Region, confirmed that local governments have already been advised to prepare for Alert Level 3 as a precaution.
Philip Lechoncito, parks operation superintendent of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, said on Tuesday that smoke from the fires — which hit about 65 hectares of forest and grasslands around Kanlaon following Sunday’s moderately explosive eruption — is no longer visible.
There are no more fires, he said.*
[sibwp_form id=1]