Forced evacuations underway over ‘increased activity’ in Taal Volcano

MANILA, Philippines — Officials in Batangas issued warnings Tuesday to evacuate residents on Taal Volcano Island due to “slightly increased activity.”

The Philippine Coast Guard said five assets were deployed to fetch the residents at the volcano island and bring them to safety.

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The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the order was for “precautionary measures” in line with the “recent activities” of the volcano.

Around 200 individuals from Sitio Tabla and Sitio San Isidro were targeted for pre-emptive evacuation, it said.

The volcano was at Alert Level 1 or abnormal condition as of Monday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

As of 8 a.m., Phivolcs recorded 98 tremor episodes having durations of 5 to 12 minutes in the last 24 hours.

Phivolcs advised that entry to Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, be kept strictly prohibited.

KGA