BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Authorities are on high alert in Negros Island as Mt. Kanlaon intensified its activity early Tuesday morning, sending thick gray ash plumes reaching up to 800 meters into the sky. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) captured the dramatic footage of the phreatic eruption, which has prompted local governments to brace for potential evacuations.
The plumes, drifting toward the southwest, were visible from several kilometers away, coating nearby communities in a thin layer of volcanic ash and sparking health warnings for residents.
According to the latest bulletin from PHIVOLCS, the volcano remains under Alert Level 2. This indicates “moderate unrest” and suggests that sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions could occur at any moment. Over the last 24 hours, instruments have recorded multiple volcanic earthquakes and a significant increase in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, measuring well above baseline levels.
“The activity we are seeing today is a clear sign of hydrothermal pressure building up beneath the crater,” PHIVOLCS officials stated. “We are monitoring the swelling of the volcano’s edifice, which indicates that magma or volcanic gases may be moving upward.”
The 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) remains strictly off-limits. Authorities have warned pilots to avoid flying near the volcano’s summit due to the hazards posed by airborne ash and ballistic fragments.
Meanwhile, local health offices in La Carlota City and the municipality of Canlaon have advised residents to:
- Wear Face Masks: Preferably N95 masks to protect against fine ash particles.
- Stay Indoors: Keep doors and windows closed to prevent ash from entering homes.
- Protect Water Supplies: Cover water containers to avoid contamination from volcanic debris.
The ashfall has already begun affecting agricultural lands in the immediate vicinity, with farmers expressing concern over the impact on high-value crops and livestock. Disaster risk reduction units have been prepositioned to assist in the “Safe Zone” areas should the alert level be raised further.
As of Tuesday morning, there has been no order for a mandatory province-wide evacuation, but residents are urged to stay tuned to official government channels for real-time updates as the situation on the ground evolves.