The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday that more than 1,800 people on Negros Island have been evacuated as a result of Mount Kanlaon’s eruption.
After Kanlaon erupted on Monday evening, throwing a five-kilometer high cloud of ash into the sky, many evacuees from Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental sought sanctuary in makeshift shelters.
The affected residents have received P325,453 in aid from the government.
On Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave the affected population assurances that the government is handling the matter and advised them to remain vigilant and adhere to local authorities’ directives.
53 volcanic earthquakes were detected at Kanlaon in the previous 24 hours, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). In addition, the volcano released a jet of ash two kilometers high.
Kanlaon has released 4,113 tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere.
A warning of potential additional explosive eruptions or even dangerous magmatic activity, PHIVOLCS recommended the public to stay away from the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) because of the risk of unexpected explosions, rockfalls, and landslides.
