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The authorities in The Philippines ordered residents living near Kanlaon volcano in the west of the country to evacuate after an eruption sent a 5km (three mile) column of ash into the sky.
Monday’s six-minute explosive eruption caused a “strong earthquake” and brought work and schools to a halt in the nearby city of Kanlaon, while three airlines canceled 32 flights on Tuesday.
“Go down to your respective evacuation centers, be vigilant and prepare important things like water and food,” said Jose Chubasco Cardenas, mayor of the city of Canlaon in Negros Oriental province.
Government officials on Tuesday also warned of the possibility of further eruptions, including dangerous ash fall and the smell of sulphur. They said rivers downstream are at risk of flash floods, mudslides and other hazards.
IP camera footage from 6:51 AM to 6:57 PM of the explosive eruption at the summit crater of Kanlaon Volcano, captured by the Kanlaon City Monitoring Station (VKCC), on June 03, 2024. The pillar rises to 5000 meters above the opening. The filament discharge can be seen shrinking from… pic.twitter.com/s9Fh9GpbbR
— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) June 3, 2024
The country’s Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised its alert level to X, warning of new “explosive eruptions”.
The seismological agency said people should be careful with ash particles.
“We advise people to wear face masks to protect themselves from volcanic ash,” Teresito Bacolcol, head of the state seismological agency, told local radio.
In nearby Negros Occidental province, more than 700 people have taken shelter in evacuation centers, Governor Jose Lacson said.
“We advise them to stay there, and for those who are not yet in the evacuation centers, I hope they can think again.”
Government agencies have not yet reported any missing, injured or casualties since Monday’s eruption.
Response teams are deployed in affected areas to move residents to safety, the state civil defense agency said in a statement late Monday.
Canlaon is one of two dozen active volcanoes in the country and last erupted in December 2017.
The Philippines is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common.
With Reuters
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