BACOLOD CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warns authorities and communities near Kanlaon Volcano of the threat of Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDC).
In the hazard map released by Phivolcs, six cities and municipalities in Negros Island Region are at risk for PDC or the mixture of fragmented volcanic particles called pyroclastics, hot gases, and ash that hurtle down the slopes of the volcano at great speeds, bringing devastation along its path.
These include La Castellana, La Carlota, Bago, Moises Padilla, and Pontevedra in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Usually the most affected in the event of an eruption, La Castellana town has nine villages vulnerable to PDC: Sag-ang, Camandag, Mansalanao, Manghanoy, Cabacungan, Puso, Biaknabato, Masulog, and Cabagnaan, with Robles as the buffer zone.
In La Carlota, the PDC hazard zone covers Ara-al, Haguimit, and San Miguel, with buffer zones Yubo, La Granja and Balabag; in Bago City, Ilijan and Binubuhan, with Mailum, Ma-ao Barrio, and parts of Ilijan and Binubuhan as buffer zones; in Moises Padilla, Magallon Cadre, Odiong, Guinpana-an, and Montilla, with Quintin Remo, Macagahay, and parts of Odiong and Magallon Cadre as buffer zones; and, in Pontevedra, Buenavista Rizal and Zamora as buffer zones.
Meanwhile, in Canlaon City, falling within the PDC hazard zone are Pula, Linothangan, and Masulog, with Malaiba, Mabigo, and Budlasan as buffer zones.
As of 12:00 a.m. of January 24, Alert Level 3 prevails over Kanlaon Volcano.
One ash emission event which lasted for 36 minutes and 14 volcanic earthquakes were reported in the past 24-hour monitoring period.
With this, the Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (RIACC) and the Regional Task Force Kanlaon enjoin internally displaced persons (IDPs) to remain in the safety of evacuation centers, be always on alert, and follow the advice of authorities. (AGP/BPS/PIA Negros Occidental)
