Kanlaon ashfall affects 12 villages in Negros

As Mt. Kanlaon continues its unrest, 12 nearby areas are still experiencing ashfall, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

- By EVELYN MACAIRAN

At yesterday's Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum, OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said the ashfall was mostly recorded in the city of La Carlota.

Mt. Kanlaon continues to be under Alert Level 3, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Nepomuceno said the government is assisting around 2,600 families or 8,600 people who have taken shelter in evacuation centers.

At least 366 police personnel were deployed to secure the areas surrounding Mt. Kanlaon, Philippine National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said.

In case the area is placed under Alert Level 4, indicative of a magmatic eruption, the number of affected people would shoot up to around 90,000.

Nepomuceno, however, added that only around half of that might stay in evacuation centers, while others would seek refuge with relatives.

Citing Phivolcs, Nepomuceno said they are looking at three possible scenarios: first, the volcano could erupt violently; second, there would be a slow lava flow and third, it would not yet erupt and the magma would cool down.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a new Notice to Airmen effective from April 9, 2:08 p.m. to April 10, 9 a.m.

According to CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio, since Mt. Kanlaon is still on Alert Level 3, flight operations are advised to avoid flying close to the volcano due to possible hazards of sudden explosive eruption and ashfall with vertical limits from surface to 11,000 feet.