Kanlaon Volcano closely monitored

CLOSE monitoring of Kanlaon Volcano is being conducted by Phivolcs.

In its report, Phivolcs said the Volcano’s seismic monitoring network recorded one (1) volcanic earthquake during the 24hour observation period. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was measured at an average of 79 tonnes/day on 15 June 2019. Ground deformation data from latest continuous GPS measurements indicate slight deflation of the edifice.

Alert level 1 (abnormal) status prevails over Kanlaon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a state of unrest probably driven by hydro thermal processes that could generate steam driven or phreatic eruptions.

Phivolcs advises the local government units and the public to avoid entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to perennial hazards of rockfalls, avalanches, sudden outgassing and steam-driven or phreatic eruption at the summit area.

Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

Meanwhile the heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Falcon caused around 87.5 percent of Valladolid town to be flooded.

Valladolid municipal disaster office head John Dexter Celis said 14 of the town’s 16 barangays were affected during two days of non-stop rains.

Celis noted only a portion of the town’s Barangay Poblacion was spared from the flooding.

The local official also noted that the flooding also caused an estimated P2.6 million in crop damages.

Town Mayor Enrique Miravalles has already ordered to give out relief supplies to the affected residents.

Earlier, the neighboring towns of San Enrique and Pontevedra were also affected by rising water levels, with around nine families evacuated in the town of Pontevedra.*