Mount Kanlaon eruption prompts evacuations

Mount Kanlaon erupted on Monday, December 9, prompting PHIVOLCS to raise the alert to Level 3 due to magmatic unrest.

An explosive eruption produced a 4,000-meter plume, causing ashfall and pyroclastic density currents.

As of midnight Thursday, December 12, 2,819 individuals from five barangays within the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone were evacuated, with five evacuation centers now fully operational in Canlaon City.

The number of evacuees had previously been reported as 11,564 individuals or 3,428 families as of Wednesday, December 11.

Task Force Kanlaon head Raul Fernandez had anticipated up to 54,000 evacuees and a potential expansion of the danger zone to 10 kilometers.

PHIVOLCS director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol warned that a hazardous eruption is possible in the coming weeks, and rain could trigger lahars.

Ashfall affected Bago City in Negros Occidental and reached Iloilo City, while Task Force Kanlaon enforces mandatory evacuations.