KANLAON VOLCANO ERUPTS ANEW

KANLAON Volcano in Negros Island early morning Tuesday had a five-minute “moderately explosive” eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs said the explosion occurred at the summit crater at 2:55 a.m.  Tuesday.

The explosion generated a grayish voluminous plume three kilometers above the vent.

Ashfall was reported in La Carlota City– barangays (village) Cubay, San Miguel, Yubo and Ara-al; Bago City– barangays Ilijan and Binubuhan, and La Castellana– barangaysBiak-na-Bato, Sag-ang, and Mansalanao, all in Negros Occidental.

Audible rumbling sounds of the eruption were reported in Bgy. Pula, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental and La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

Incandescent pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) descended the southern slopes within two kilometers of the crater.

“Large ballistic fragments were also observed to have been thrown around the crater within a few hundred meters and caused burning of vegetation near the volcano summit,” Phivolcs added.

The agency recommended that communities within the six-km radius from the summit crater remain evacuated due to the danger of PDCs, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, rockfall, and other related hazards.

Communities that experience ashfall are advised to take all necessary precautions and use protective masks or a wet cloth to prevent ash inhalation, with special attention given to vulnerable persons, including the elderly, persons with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, pregnant women, and infants.

Pilots were advised to avoid flying close t the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. 

Alert Level 3 or magmatic unrest prevails over Kanlaon Volcano.

Meanwhile, Air Asia PH has canceled eight domestic flights scheduled yesterday.

The canceled flights are Z2 603/604, Z2 8601/602, Z2 609/610 Manila-Bacolod-Manila, and Z2 309/310 Manila-Iloilo-Manila.

“Since this is a developing situation, guests flying to Cebu, Tagbilaran and Iloilo may also experience delays as the route to these destinations are closely monitored for any potential ash cloud coverage,” AirAsia said in an advisory.

The advisory added that those with canceled flights and whose flights have been delayed for over three hours could rebook the same route on a new date within 30 days from the original schedule, without additional cost and subject to seat availability, or they could also opt for a full refund or retain the value of the flight booking in their BIG Member account for future travel.