Ashfall from Kanlaon eruption hits 41 barangays in Negros Occidental

A total of 41 barangays in Negros Occidental have been affected by heavy ashfall following a moderately explosive eruption of the Kanlaon Volcano on Thursday.

According to a "24 Oras" report by GMA Regional TV's Aileen Pedreso on Friday, several roads, farms, and roofs in various areas of Negros Occidental were left coated in ash and sand following the two-minute explosion.

“Simula pa kahapon ang clearing operation. Ngayon ay medyo malinis na ang areas na tinamaan. Dapat maghanda talaga ng face mask on hand,” said Negros Occidental PDRRMO Deputy Chief Bryll Larry Sañor.

(Clearing operations have been conducted since yesterday. As of now, the affected areas are pretty much clean. We really have to have face masks ready on hand.)

More than 60 families were evacuated, and the majority of them were from La Carlota City.

Some residents who did not evacuate shared that they found difficulty cleaning up the ash, while others also reported breathing difficulties.

“Ang hirap kasi parang semento siya na dumikit sa bubong at mayroon din sa kalsada,” said resident Laura Domingo.

(It’s difficult because it’s like cement that clings to the roof, and there’s also some on the road.)

“Kung hindi mo lilinisin, mabubutas ang bubong kasi ang kapal. Nagulat nga kami kasi may mga buhangin,” added another resident Rio Langote.

(If you don’t clean it up, your roof will get holes because of thick ash. We were shocked because it has sand in it.)

There are no signs that would cause Kanlaon's alert level to be raised to three, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

“Base sa ating monitoring parameters, walang nakitang pag-increase sa activity, including mga seismic data. Ang sulfur dioxide, mababa pa rin. Walang sudden increase,” said Kanlaon Volcano Observatory Science and Research Specialist Perly Sianson.

(Based on our monitoring parameters, we are not seeing any increase in activity, including seismic data. Sulfur dioxide is still low. There’s no sudden increase.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News