MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday announced the closure to all types of vehicles of three road sections in the province Batangas, three days after Taal Volcano started erupting.
As of 10 a.m. Wednesday (Jan. 15), the DPWH said the following roads are closed due to ashfall from the volcano’s eruption:
1. Tanauan-Talisay-Tagaytay Road, Talisay-Tagaytay Section, Talisay, Batangas
2. Lake Taal – Tagaytay Road, Batangas
3. Talisay – Laurel – Agoncillo Road, Batangas
All other road sections in the NCR, Regions III, IV-A, and IV-B are passable to all types of vehicles, the agency added.
Thousands have been evacuated after authorities hoisted alert level 4 on Taal Volcano which means that an “explosive eruption” could happen in the coming hours or days. The highest alert level is at 5, indicating an eruption is taking place.
Taal had been restive for months until it suddenly rumbled back to life on Sunday afternoon, spewing a giant ash column into the sky after a phreatic eruption occurred in its main crater.