Kanlaon Volcano erupts; ashfall reaches Cebu

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island had a "moderately explosive" eruption on Thursday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said, with ashfall reaching parts of Cebu.

The eruption lasted about three minutes, from 7:33 a.m. to 7:36 a.m.

"This event generated a dark gray eruption plume that rose 2 to 3 kilometers above the crater before drifting east. Poorly visible pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) descended the southeastern slopes, possibly within a kilometer of the summit crater," PHIVOLCS said.

Ashfall was reported in Toledo City and the municipalities of Aloguinsan and Pinamungajan in western Cebu, which directly face Negros Island, as well as in other parts of Cebu Island.

In response, several local government units in Cebu Province suspended classes, including those in Minglanilla, Cebu City, Toledo City, and Mandaue City.

At the provincial capitol, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro directed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to monitor the ashfall situation.

The governor also placed the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and all Capitol-run provincial and district hospitals on heightened alert to ensure readiness for health or emergency concerns.

"The governor urged the public, especially those in ashfall-affected areas, to stay indoors as much as possible. If going outside is necessary, she appealed to the public to wear face masks or other protective coverings to minimize exposure to volcanic ash," the Cebu provincial government said.

The volcanic activity coincided with the suspension of classes in Canlaon City and the rest of Negros Oriental due to the potential effects of Typhoon Inday.

Courtesy: PHIVOLCS

Alert Level 2, which indicates a moderate level of volcanic unrest, remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano. PHIVOLCS reiterated that entry into the 4-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited.

PHIVOLCS elevated Kanlaon's status to Alert Level 2 on June 3. —with a report from GMA Regional TV News, VAL/VBL, GMA News