BACOLOD City — At least 51 families or 167 individuals were evacuated from communities in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, after heavy rains triggered muddy flows from the slopes of Mt. Kanlaon on Tuesday, September 15.
In La Castellana, Mayor Anejo Nicor said 27 families comprising 96 individuals from Barangay Biak-na-Bato were brought to the barangay hall as a precaution after a sudden surge of muddy water flowed from the upper portions of the volcano.
Authorities distributed food packs and other immediate assistance to the evacuees.
Nicor said rainfall in the lower portion of the barangay was initially only cloudy, but intense rain at higher elevations caused water and mud to rapidly descend toward lower-lying areas.
Authorities also observed structural movement near Calapnagan Bridge in Biak-na-Bato, prompting continued monitoring of the area.
In Canlaon City, another 24 families or 71 individuals from Barangays Panubigan and Masulog were preemptively evacuated, according to Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region Director Donato Sermeno III.
The Canlaon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported moderate to intense rain accompanied by lightning and strong winds affecting Canlaon City, Vallehermoso and Guihulngan.
Sermeno urged residents in hazard-prone areas, particularly those near waterways and other danger zones, to closely monitor official advisories and evacuate immediately when instructed.
The OCD-NIR is also assessing the possible deployment of drones to survey the upper slopes of Mt. Kanlaon and determine whether accumulated debris, natural blockages or other conditions contributed to the mudflows.
La Castellana authorities, meanwhile, advised evacuees to remain in designated evacuation areas until weather and ground conditions are declared safe.(WDJ)/PN
