NATION

Ashfall alert up over Negros

The volcano remained under Alert Level 2, indicating a moderate level of unrest

Jing Villamente · Aug 22, 2026, 9:44 PM

THICK ash plumes rise 800 meters above Mount Kanlaon’s summit, drifting west-northwest like storm-tossed smoke signals Monday. As the restless giant stirs, residents of La Carlota, Bago, and nearby towns brace for ashfall under the shadow of Alert Level 3. — Photograph courtesy of phivolcs

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Saturday warned residents of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental of possible ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano after it emitted a voluminous ash plume at 11:23 am yesterday, rising 150 meters above the summit crater.

Phivolcs said the plume drifted southeastward due to strong winds.

The OCD-Negros Island Region (NIR) advised communities in the area to take precautions against possible ashfall.

The state seismologist earlier recorded superheated plume activity at the crater of Kanlaon volcano between 11:05 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Friday.

The volcano remained under Alert Level 2, indicating a moderate level of unrest. Meanwhile, entry into the four-kilometer danger zone and flights in the volcano's vicinity remain prohibited.

Another ash emission was recorded at 3:11 p.m., producing a similar plume that rose 150 meters above the crater.