LPA threatens lahar flow from Kanlaon
(FILES) This handout photo taken and released on 5 June 2024 by the Office of the Protected Area Superintendent of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park shows a resident wading through lahar from the eruption of Mount Kanlaon volcano along a road in Biaknabato village in La Castellana municipality, Negros Occidental province.
Handout / Office of the Protected Area Superintendent of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park / AFP
With the development of the low-pressure area in the east of Mindanao and its possible westward trajectory, it may bring rainfall to Negros Island, threatening the possibility of lahar flow from the Kanlaon Volcano.
An infographic uploaded by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned residents to avoid areas near rivers and the waterways downstream of the volcano.
Lahar is a thick mixture of various volcanic materials, such as ash and rocks, usually generated after heavy rainfall.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration's weather outlook shows that from Monday, 16 December to Friday, 20 December, there is a 60 percent chance of rain in Bacolod City, which is approximately 38 kilometers from Kanlaon Volcano.
The latest observation by Phivolcs indicated that Kanlaon released 6,535 tons of sulfur dioxide, which was also accompanied by 12 volcanic earthquakes.
A 75-meter volcanic plume was also observed, exhibiting the volcano’s continuous degassing activity. Alert Level 3 remains hoisted in Kanlaon Volcano.
In Moises Padilla, Vice Mayor Ian Villaflor reported mudflow along the Intiguiwan River on Sunday, attributed to volcanic ash deposits.