3 days ago
PHIVOLCS issues Kanlaon lahar advisory following rainfall in the area
The Philippine Institute of of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) called for vigilance among residents near Kanlaon volcano following social media posts of "cohesive and cement-like lahars" that may have generated by moderate to heavy rainfall in the area.
"Based on the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Regional Weather Advisory No. 2, the Negros Island Region has been under the effects of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) and the Southwest Monsoon," the PHIVOLCS said.
"Furthermore, based on PAGASA's Heavy Rainfall Warning No. 2 #VISPRSD, moderate to heavy rainfall in the late afternoon to early evening affected portions of Kanlaon Volcano, generating channel-confined volcanic sediment flows or lahars on the southern and southwestern slopes," the agency added.
The All-Weather Station of the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City recorded a total of 45.5 mm of rain over a 3.5-hour period and higher rainfall volume may occurr around the summit of the volcano.
The PHIVOLCS said cohesive and cement-like lahars has been reported by netizens and local officials along the Buhangin River and beneath Hacienda 92 Bridge in Barangay Sag-ang and Ibid Creek in Barangay Biak-na-bato, La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
The rains brought about by the southwest monsoon may generate lahars, muddy steamflows or muddy run-off in the rivers draining the Kanlaon vocano edifice, particularly areas previous affected by lahars.
PHIVOLCS warns, "Lahars can threaten communities along the middle and lower slopes with inundation, burial and wash out."
"PHIVOLCS thus strongly recommends increased vigilance and readiness of communities along rivers draining southern Kanlaon. These communities and local government units are advised to continually monitor weather conditions and take pre-emptive response measures when heavy rains, the only early-warning for lahars, are expected or have begun over the upper slopes of Kanlaon Volcano, for their safety," the agency said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
