Kanlaon Volcano activity strands 1,501 passengers, damages P1.5M agri

A total of 1,501 passengers were stranded at seaports in Western Visayas due to the activity of Kanlaon Volcano on Thursday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that all 20 domestic and one international flight initially canceled have now resumed operations.

Kanlaon Volcano's activity affected 2,479 people or 682 families in Western and Central Visayas, with 1,400 individuals or 361 families staying in eight evacuation centers and 364 persons or 62 families seeking shelter elsewhere.

A state of calamity was declared in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and Canlaon, Negros Oriental, while assistance worth P2.7 million has been provided to the victims so far.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported a decrease in activity but noted 27 volcanic earthquakes and plumes up to 1,500 meters tall over the past day.

Damage to agriculture due to Kanlaon Volcano's eruption was pegged at almost P1.5 million by the NDRRMC.

Gray cohesive mud, plant debris, and gravel have been deposited along four waterways in La Castellana and Canlaon.