Kanlaon Volcano shows increased activity, Phivolcs maintains Alert Level 3

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island showed a slight increase in sulfur dioxide emissions and volcanic earthquakes according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) report on Thursday.

Sulfur dioxide emissions rose from 1,339 tons to 1,422 tons while seismic activity doubled from four to eight quakes over the past day.

The volcano's edifice remains inflated with continuous degassing and intermittent ash emissions observed; however, its plume was obscured by clouds.

Phivolcs maintained Alert Level 3 for Kanlaon, indicating a high level of volcanic unrest and warning residents about potential hazards such as sudden explosive eruptions, lava flows, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, and lahars during heavy rain.

Residents within a six-kilometer radius were advised to evacuate from the summit area and flying near the volcano remains prohibited.

Local government units in Negros Island Region reported that promised national government aid has yet to be released, leaving them unable to provide adequate support for over 6,000 evacuees displaced by Kanlaon's ongoing unrest.