Forest fires were raging on the slopes of Kanlaon Volcano following a moderately explosive eruption at 6:07 p.m. Sunday, March 15, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Fifty-four barangays in ten local government units in Negros Occidental were affected by ashfall and, in some areas, by sulfuric odor, caused by the eruption, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported.
The 10 LGUs are Binalbagan, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Hinigaran, Isabela, San Carlos, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Pontevedra, and Ilog.
Mayor Añejo Nicor said about 60 percent of La Castellana’s barangays, including the town proper, were covered in ash.
Phivolcs also reported ashfall in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
CLASSES SUSPENDED
Himamaylan City, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, and Binalbagan suspended classes at all levels in their areas on Monday as a precaution.
THIRD ERUPTION
The eruption at 6:07 p.m. generated a 5-kilometer-high eruption column that drifted to the southeast and northeast, Phivolcs said.
It was the third event at Kanlaon this year, following similar eruptions on February 19 and 26, Phivolcs added.
The volcano also emitted ash at 10:31 p.m. Sunday.
Alert Level 2 is maintained over Kanlaon Volcano, and entry into the 4-kilometer PDZ (Permanent Danger Zone) is prohibited, Phivolcs stressed.
Phivolcs has also raised ashfall alerts.
The moderately explosive eruption at Kanlaon Volcano as seen from La Castellana on Sunday.* Brgy Captain Marvin Escander photo
CANLAON CITY
Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco “Batchuk” Cardenas called on residents of his city to remain calm and alert.
“All barangays have been notified and placed on alert. Our rescue vehicles and emergency response teams are prepared and ready for deployment if necessary,” he added.
“Please wear a face mask. If a mask is not available, please use a wet cloth to cover your nose and mouth from the ashfall,” he added.
MOISES PADILLA
Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo asked dancers and choreographers at Barangay 4 in her town to temporarily stop their rehearsals for an upcoming street dance competition.
The move was implemented by the mayor due to the danger posed by ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano, which the municipality was experiencing.
The mayor warned that volcanic ash can be very harmful to health, particularly to the respiratory system.
She assured everyone that rehearsals will be rescheduled once the air is clear and conditions are safe for everyone.*
[sibwp_form id=1]