The Office of Civil Defense Western Visayas (OCD 6) has warned the public of lahar flow risks in Negros Occidental due to an impending weather disturbance. 

As the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warns of heavy rainfall expected across the Visayas region, OCD 6 has raised alarms about the potential for lahar flows from Kanlaon Volcano. 

Raul Fernandez, director of OCD 6 and head of the Regional Task Force Kanlaon, has urged residents to stay alert and prepared for the impending weather conditions.

"The current forecast indicates that a Low Pressure Area (LPA) located approximately 155 kilometers east-southeast of Tagum City, Davao del Norte [as of this writing], has a high chance of developing into Tropical Depression Querubin, the first storm of December 2024," OCD 6 warned. 

"This system, embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), is expected to bring significant rainfall and thunderstorms, exacerbating the risk of flash floods and landslides, especially in areas surrounding Kanlaon Volcano," the agency added.

AT-RISK AREAS

The Province of Negros Occidental includes several cities and municipalities that are particularly vulnerable to volcanic hazards. 

These areas include Bago City, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Valladolid, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla (Magallon). 

A total of 162 barangays across these 13 municipalities are at risk, endangering approximately 644,487 residents, based on the 2020 census.

A recently released map highlights specific lahar hazard flow areas, demonstrating the urgent need for residents to take precautions, OCD 6 pointed out. 

(Courtesy: Civil Defense PH, DOST-PHIVOLCS)