Kanlaon Volcano emitted ash; residents warned vs possible ashfall —OCD

Residents living in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental as well as the general public were warned by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) of possible ashfall after Kanlaon Volcano emitted ash on Saturday afternoon.

The ash emission occurred at 1:49 p.m., the OCD said in its advisory posted on social media.

"Pinag-iingat ang lahat, lalo na ang mga nasa Negros Oriental at Negros Occidental, sa maaaring pagpatak ng abo na ibinuga ng Bulkang Kanlaon dakong 1:49 PM," it said.

(Everyone is advised to take the necessary precautions, especially those in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, for possible ashfall after Kanlaon Volcano emitted ash at around 1:49 p.m.)

"Manatili pong naka-alerto, laging mag-ingat, at sumunod sa paalala at babala ng mga awtoridad," OCD added.

(Be alert, take the necessary precautions, and heed the reminders and warnings of authorities.)

Kanlaon Volcano, which straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, is still on Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest), according to the bulletin issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Saturday.

On Friday, Kanlaon Volcano had seven ash emission events lasting from 8 to 60 minutes long.

It also had 16 volcanic earthquakes including 12 volcanic tremors lasting 8 to 60 minutes long from 12 a.m. Friday to 12 a.m. Saturday.

The volcano emitted 2,076 tonnes of sulfur dioxide on Friday.

Moderate plumes rose up to 250 meters high from the crater before drifting southeast.

PHIVOLCS said entry into the 4-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and flying aircraft close to the volcano should be prohibited.

Kanlaon Volcano poses possible hazards such as sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions and precursory magmatic activity, PHIVOLCS said. —KG, GMA News