• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council alerted Negrenses on two ash eruptions at Mt. Kanlaon at 5:38 a.m. and 2:36 p.m. yesterday.
In an advisory, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that the volcano released 8,244 tons of sulfur dioxide flux on Nov. 26.
Phivolcs’ latest bulletin also indicated that one of the two emission events lasted for nine minutes, emitting a “moderate” 150-meter tall plume, which drifted southwest.
Phivolcs earlier warned people against prolonged exposure to sulfur dioxide as the fumes can cause irritation of the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract.
Persons with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease, and heart disease, as well as the elderly, pregnant women, and children could also be particularly sensitive to the fumes.
Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) still prevails over Kanlaon volcano, after its phreatic eruption on June 3.
Entry into the volcano’s four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone and flying any aircraft close to it are prohibited.
Sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions may also occur. | GB
