Nearly 22,000 people evacuated amid Taal’s unrest —NDRRMC

A total of 21, 789 people or 6,027 families have evacuated from their homes amid the ongoing activity of the Taal Volcano, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday.

In its latest update, the NDRRMC said 5, 922 individuals or 1,688 families were staying inside evacuation centers, while 15, 867 people or 4, 359 were staying outside these facilities.

At least 26 evacuation centers are open to accommodate the displaced population.

According to the NDRRMC, 145 barangays were affected by the unrest of the Taal.

A total 4,495food packs and 9,000 and ready to eat meal were provided to the affected residents.

Aside from these, around - 5,000 hygiene kits, 5,000 family kits, 5,000 sleeping kits, 477 modular tents, and 500 family tents were also provided.

A total of P16, 009, 434 worth of assistance were given to affected residents, according to the NDRRMC.

On Thursday, Taal Volcano had 35 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours as Alert Level 3 remains in effect, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

The quakes included 17 volcanic tremor events lasting one to 49 minutes.

Under Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest), an explosive eruption could occur due to magma extruding from the main crater. -MDM, GMA News