632 volcanic quakes recorded, 17k families evacuated since Taal eruption —NDRRMC

More than 600 volcanic earthquakes have already been recorded in and around the the restive Taal Volcano since it erupted over the weekend, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

As of 4 a.m. on Friday, 632 quakes have been plotted, 174 of which had magnitudes ranging between 1.2 and 4.1, and Intensities between I and V.

If the eruption column remains at seven kilometers or below, the ash plumes will be drifted to the municipalities west and southwest of Taal Volcano, but if a major eruption occurs within the forecast period and the column exceeds seven kilometers, ash plumes will also be drifted over the eastern and southern portions of Batangas and some municipalities of Quezon, Mindoro and Marinduque, the advisory added.

Meanwhile, a total of 17,555 families or 77,438 people were recorded to have been affected in Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite. A total of 15,047 families or 66,262 people were taken to temporary shelters in 283 evacuation centers.

As of Friday, a total of six road sections are on lockdown as a safety precaution for the affected communities.

A total of 644 flights (383 domestic and 261 international) have been canceled due to the volcanic ash from Taal, of which 593 flights (359 domestic and 234 international) have resumed operations, the NDRRMC said.

Twenty cities or municipalities have experienced power interruption in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas as of January 16, 2020. Power supply in 10 cities or municipalities have since been restored.

In its situational report, the NDRRMC said, Batangas and Cavite are expected to have cloudy skies with isolated rains, while Laguna will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains until 5 p.m. of January 18. 

Suspension, damage, assistance

The NDRRMC reported that 264 cities/municipalities suspended classes in Regions III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and NCR due to the eruption, but 177 have since resumed classes as of January 16, 2020.

Government offices in Regions III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and NCR also suspended work on January 13, 2020, but MIMAROPA and NCR have since resumed government office work as of January 14, 2020.

The NCRRMC recorded a total of P74,549,300 worth of damage to agriculture in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite.

Batangas was placed under a state of calamity on January 13, 2020, while Cavite on January 15, 2020.

A total of P11,282,380.96 worth of assistance was provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Health (DOH). — MDM, GMA News