La Carlota residents urged to store water amid lahar flow from Kanlaon Volcano

Residents of Barangay Aral-al and San Miguel in La Carlota City were advised to store water amid lahar flow following rainfall on Kanlaon Volcano.

“This is to ensure availability of clean water to be used in case of continuous lahar flow that may possibly affect the water supply in the days thereafter,” the La Carlota City Water District said in an advisory on Thursday.

“Technical personnel of La Carlota City Water District are currently on-site to conduct monitoring of the spring source to ensure uninterrupted and potable water provision in the areas mentioned above,” it added.

The rain on Wednesday caused lahar to flow from the volcano, which caused the water flowing from the Baji-Baji, Busay Oro, Mayor, and Abaga waterfalls to appear gray.

Barangays Ara-al and Yubo in La Carlota City are among the areas within Kanlaon Volcano’s 4-kilometer permanent danger zone.

Meanwhile, GMA Regional TV One Western Visaya reported that the spring appeared color blue due to the mixture of sulfur in Guintubdan, Barangay Aral-al .

Residents of Barangay Cabagnaan in La Castellana, Negros Occidental lined up to get clean water in Cadujada Spring. They feared getting water from the river near Mount Kanlaon due to the lahar flow.  

“Dati sa taas ng bulkan ang source ng tubig. Dahil nag-erupt ang bulkan, itinigil na” said resident Glenn Gulvio.

(Before, the source of water was at the top of the volcano. We stopped getting water after the volcano erupted.)

Potable water supply is also a problem in Barangay Biaknabato, which was severely affected by the lahar.

“Huwag na munang uminom sa pinagkukunan namin ng inuming tubig. Hindi namin alam kung safe ang tubig ngayon,” Barangay Chairman Joselito Martinez Jr. said.

(In the meantime, we will stop getting drinking water from our usual source. We do not know if it is safe right now.)

Residents of Barangay Biaknabato continue to clean the lahar with the help of heavy equipment brought by the government.

Authorities advised residents to immediately wash with water if they come into contact with the lahar.

“Medyo heightened pa rin ang ating activity. Ang plume na ibinubuga niya, it reaches up to 1500 meters pa rin,” said Mari Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist of Kanlaon Volcano Observatory.

(The volcano activity is slightly heightened. The plume that it released reached 1,500 meters.)

PHIVOLCS disclosed the possibility of continued lahar flows if rain persists in the area.

Government agencies are discussing their response should Kanlaon Volcano elevate its status to Alert Level 3.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson assured that local governments will help affected residents of the province.

“When we say level 3, (there's) massive evacuation. We cannot also predict (if) we will have a second eruption,” Lacson said.

GMA Kapuso Foundation on Thursday distributed aid to at least 880 residents of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

 Canlaon City in Negros Oriental and La Castellana in Negros Occidental have been placed under a state of calamity due to the effects brought by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano last June 3.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News