Over 7,000 evacuated in CALABARZON due to Taal activity —NDRRMC

More than 7,000 individuals have been affected by Taal Volcano’s phreatic explosion on Sunday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday.

In its 6 a.m. situation report, the NDRRMC said a total of 966 families or 7,742 individuals are taking temporary shelter in 38 evacuation centers.

These families were from San Nicolas, Talisay, Tanauan City, Mataas na Kahoy, Balete, Lipa City, and Laurel, Batangas, according to the NDRRMC.

Also included were some residents from Tagaytay City, it added.

The NDRRMC said the Talisay-Tagaytay Road in CALABARZON was temporarily closed due to the evacuation of the residents.

Earlier reports said Taal Volcano spewed lava fountains at around 3 a.m. According to PHIVOLCS, the latest activity of the volcano can be considered as low-level eruption.

The alert level of Taal Volcano was raised to Alert Level 4, meaning hazardous eruption is possible within hours to days, PHIVOLCS said.

The council’s operation center had activated its red alert status on Sunday night to actively respond to the situation in the affected areas, especially in the Southern Luzon.

A total of 87 domestic and 109 international flights had been cancelled due to the volcanic activity. Work in government offices in Regions III, CALABARZON and NCR were suspended too. —KBK, GMA News