• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Ashfall, sulfuric odor, and rumbling sounds were recorded in at least six towns and cities of Negros, including in highly-urbanized Bacolod, following the explosive eruption at the summit crater of Mt. Kanlaon June 3.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), in its volcanic activity report at 7:34 p.m. June 4, said ashfall incidents were noted in barangays Ilijan and Busay in Bago; Ara-al, Guintubdan, and Yubo in La Carlota; Robles and Masulog in La Castellana, all in Negros Occidental, and in Masulog and Pula in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Sulfuric odor, meanwhile, had been reported in barangays Sum-ag, Taculing, Mansilingan, Handumanan, Felisa, Singcang-Airport, Alijis, Bata, Punta Taytay, 11, 27, 31, 38, Estefania, Mandalagan, Tangub, Montevista, Vista Alegre, Banago, and Granada, all of Bacolod City; Ilijan and Busay in Bago; Ara-al, Guintubdan, and Yubo in La Carlota; Robles and Masulog in La Castellana; Lopez Jaena and Minoyan in Murcia; and in Masulog in Canlaon City.
Rumbling sounds were heard in several areas in La Carlota City and La Castellana, and in Canlaon City, which was placed under a state of calamity Tuesday afternoon.
A total of 84 weak low-frequency volcanic earthquakes were recorded by the Kanlaon Volcano Network (KVN), as of noon June 4, consistent with current low-level degassing from the Kanlaon crater, the Phivolcs said, adding that sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission reached 4,113 tonnes yesterday, the highest flux this year and the second highest ever measured from Kanlaon.
It added that the volcano occasionally exhibits phreatic and short-lived explosive eruptions that produce small-magnitude hazards. “Alert Level 2 will be maintained until such time that monitoring parameters significantly change,” the Phivolcs said.
Residents in barangays near Kanlaon, like Ara-al and Yubo, La Carlota City; Sag-ang, Mansalanao, Cabagnaan, and Biaknabato, La Castellana; Minoyan in Murcia; Codcod in San Carlos City; and in Masolog, Pula, and Lumapao in Canlaon City should stay away from the four-kilometer permanent danger zone as chances of more eruptions occurring are possible, it added. | CGC
