Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental erupts on Monday, December 9, 2024. (INQUIRER FILES)
MANILA, Philippines — Over 9,400 individuals were evacuated after Kanlaon Volcano, which lies between Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, erupted on Monday, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said on Tuesday.
OCD said that 9,403 individuals, or 2,880 families, were evacuated from the following municipalities of Negros Occidental as of 8:00 a.m.:
- La Castallena (5,400 individuals or 1,686 families)
- Bago City (1,548 individuals or 385 families)
- La Carlota City (2,019 individuals or 673 families)
- Pontevedra (400 individuals or 132 families)
- Moises Padilla (36 individuals or four families)
OCD also said that the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in the municipality of La Castallena “remains on standby” for more evacuees as most families within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) have already evacuated.
The agency added that all families within the six-kilometer PDZ from Bago City and La Carlota City have been evacuated.
The OCD estimated that 34,000 individuals need basic goods such as food. It also listed the additional needs:
- Aqua tabs (20,000)
- Wash kits (1,000)
- Hygiene kits (5,000)
- First aid kits (20)
- Portalets (10)
- Modular tents (3,000)
- Kitchen sets (500)
- Sleeping kits (500)
- Bedding (2,000)
- Face masks
- Bathing facilities
- Chlorinators
The OCD likewise said that as of 8:00 p.m. on December 9, evacuation centers were established in Brgy. Mabigo, Canlaon City.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the volcano had an explosive eruption from its crater around 3:03 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9,
The alert level was raised from 2 to 3, indicating magmatic unrest.
Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Monday instructed evacuation operations for approximately 87,000 affected residents.