The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has advised local government units near the Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island to keep an eye on possible “rain-induced lahars” following heavy rains the day after Kanlaon erupted on December 9, 2024.
“Heavy rain is currently falling on the southern slopes of Kanlaon Volcano. Rain-induced lahars may generate in rivers that pass through barangays impacted by pyroclastic density currents from the explosive eruption yesterday, 9 December 2024,” PHIVOLCS said in an advisory evening on December 10.
“ Local government units have been advised to monitor these and downstream barangays in case lahars occur and impact these communities. Alert Level 3 now prevails over Kanlaon Volcano,” it added.
The ash spewed by Kanlaon even reached areas in neighboring Panay Island and Guimaras Island.
Authorities have urged evacuations in local government units surrounding the volcano as a preemptive measure due to the possibility of a bigger eruption.
As of December 10, 2024, the following areas have evacuated residents, based on data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Negros Occidental:
- La Castellana - 7,294 evacuees
- La Carlota City - 1,258 evacuees
- Bago City 1,486 evacuees
- Pontevedra - 722 evacuees
- Moises Padilla - 36 evacuees
