Cheyenne Suarez

All local government units have been advised to evacuate the six-kilometer radius from the summit of the volcano and to remain prepared for additional evacuations if activity warrants.

Article (news)

Tent city put up in Himamaylan amid preps for higher alert level over Kanlaon Volcano

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1735285197280viber_image_2024-12-23_17-05-54-782.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mount Kanlaon spews ash on Dec. 23, 2024. <em>Jonel Bermoy, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Authorities have put up a tent city in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, in anticipation of heightened alert due to the unrest at Kanlaon Volcano, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Thursday.</p><p>The OCD said preparations are underway for a potential escalation in alert levels, following signs of possible violent eruptions from Mount Kanlaon in light of recent volcanic activity.</p><p>Alert Level 3 remains in effect for Kanlaon Volcano, indicating that magmatic eruptions have begun and may progress to further explosive eruptions.</p><p>All local government units have been advised to evacuate the six-kilometer radius from the summit of the volcano and to remain prepared for additional evacuations if activity warrants.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2024/12/24/no-christmas-parties-for-kanlaon-evacuees-as-volcano-threat-remains-1138">No Christmas parties for Kanlaon evacuees as volcano threat remains</a></div><p>“Preparations are underway in Himamaylan City, where we are establishing a tent city in anticipation of a possible escalation,” said Regional Task Force Kanlaon chairperson Raul Fernandez in a statement.</p><p>The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has outlined three potential scenarios: a lava flow, a violent eruption, or a plateau in volcanic activity.</p><p>Based on their assessment and on comparisons with other active volcanoes, Fernandez said lava flow is more likely.</p><p>Tent cities may also be established in Vallehermoso town and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.</p><div><strong>LAHAR THREAT MINIMAL</strong></div><p>&quot;We will await further guidance from Phivolcs, which is closely monitoring the volcano&#x27;s activity. Currently, the threat of lahar is minimal, as the volume of materials is not positioned along waterways. While the situation is not alarming, we are taking necessary precautions,&quot; Fernandez said.</p><p>Over the past two weeks, the Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell has convened daily to address ongoing issues and concerns, according to OCD.</p><p>Fernandez assured the public that there are enough relief goods for families affected by the eruptions, with the Philippine Red Cross and local government units providing hot meals to those in evacuation centers.</p><p>According to data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and its Disaster Response Operations Management Information and Communication division, the recent eruptions have significantly impacted the local population, affecting a total of 7,153 families and 21,889 individuals across 21 barangays in seven cities and municipalities, including Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, and San Carlos.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2024/12/12/canlaon-city-permanent-danger-zone-still-off-limits-ocd-central-visayas-1512">Canlaon City permanent danger zone still off-limits — OCD Central Visayas</a></div><p>In addition to the volcanic threats, the region is also grappling with the effects of a severe thunderstorm and shear line.</p><p>Fernandez noted that this weather event has affected 2,305 families and 7,320 individuals across 19 barangays in four municipalities: Cadiz City, Manapla, Sagay City, and Victorias City.</p><p>“The combined effects of the severe weather and volcanic activity have created significant challenges for local authorities and disaster response teams,” Fernandez said.</p><p>“We are working diligently to provide assistance and support to the displaced families,” he added.</p><p>Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. presided over a briefing at the Office of Civil Defense on Thursday to discuss the effects of the shear line affecting various parts of the country, ongoing response operations related to the eruption of Mount Kanlaon, and the sequence of earthquakes in waters off of Ilocos Sur.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7zJpa2phCEc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>All local government units have been advised to evacuate the six-kilometer radius from the summit of the volcano and to remain prepared for additional evacuations if activity warrants.</p>