NDRRMC: Over 40k residents affected by Taal Volcano eruption

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday said over 40,000 people or some 9,500 families in Batangas and Cavite were affected by the phreatic eruption of the Taal Volcano.

In its 6 p.m. situational report, the NDRRMC said that out of all the affected residents, 38,000 people or 8,800 families have taken temporary shelter in 198 evacuation centers.

According to a report on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho", almost half a million residents are being asked to evacuate from the following cities and towns of Batangas:

• San Nicolas,
• Talisay,
• Tagaytay,
• Laurel,
• Agoncillo,
• Lemery,
• Taal,
• Santa Teresita,

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• Cuenca,
• Mataas na Kahoy,
• Balete, and 
• Tanauan.

Alert Level 4 remains hoisted over the 14-kilometer danger zone around the volcano.

This means an explosive eruption remains likely in the next hours or days.

NDRRMC said P74.5 million worth of damages to agriculture in Batangas and Cavite had been reported.

Damage to agriculture caused by the eruption of the Taal Volcano has now reached P577.39 million, the government reported Tuesday afternoon.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), however, already estimated the amount of damage at P577.39 million, as an estimated 2,772 hectares have been affected, covering commodities such as rice, corn, coffee, cacao, banana, and high-value crops.

This also includes 1,967 animal heads.

"The estimated production loss of 15,033 metric tons in the fisheries sector may reduce the supply of tilapia in Metro Manila. Thus, several sources of tilapia from CAR, Region III, Laguna and Rizal are being identified," said the DA.

Due to the heavy ashfall, 603 international and domestic flights were canceled, 177 of which have already resumed operations. —NB, GMA News