BACOLOD City — Kanlaon Volcano erupted anew Thursday morning, July 9, sending a dark gray ash plume up to three kilometers above its summit and triggering ashfall in parts of Negros and Cebu, as authorities maintained Alert Level 2 and urged residents to remain vigilant.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the moderately explosive eruption occurred at 7:33 a.m. and lasted about three minutes, based on seismic and infrasound records.
The eruption generated a dark gray ash plume that rose about two to three kilometers above the summit crater before drifting eastward. PHIVOLCS also observed faint pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) descending the volcano’s southeastern slopes, reaching up to one kilometer from the crater.
Despite the eruption, PHIVOLCS said Alert Level 2, which indicates moderate volcanic unrest, remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano.
The agency reiterated that entry into the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) remains strictly prohibited because of the continuing threat of sudden steam-driven or explosive eruptions, rockfalls, ashfall, and other volcanic hazards.
In its 10 a.m. advisory, PHIVOLCS warned that moderate to heavy ashfall could affect San Carlos City in Negros Occidental; Canlaon City and Vallehermoso in Negros Oriental; and several areas in Cebu, including Cebu City, Toledo City, Balamban, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Mandaue City, Aloguinsan, Pinamungajan, Minglanilla, Naga City, Talisay City, Liloan, and Consolacion.
Residents in affected areas were advised to wear face masks, remain indoors whenever possible, and keep doors and windows closed to minimize exposure to volcanic ash.
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense–Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR), in its initial situation report issued at 9 a.m., confirmed ashfall in Barangay Binalbagan, Canlaon City, and the presence of sulfuric odor in Barangay Quezon, San Carlos City, and Barangay Maao, Bago City. Both ashfall and sulfuric odor were also reported in the upper portions of Barangay Buluangan.
As of the latest monitoring, authorities said no major incidents or casualties had been reported.
The OCD-NIR said it continues to coordinate closely with PHIVOLCS and local government units for continuous monitoring, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has prepositioned a quick response team, personnel, and heavy equipment in southern Negros for possible emergency operations.
In La Carlota City, disaster officials reported no ashfall or damage to infrastructure following the eruption.
City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Dr. Junnie Martin Torrefranca said Rapid Disaster Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) teams were immediately deployed to inspect upland barangays after the eruption.
Kenneth Neil Salsalida, head of the Operations Division and Emergency Medical Services of the La Carlota City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said all critical lifelines, including power facilities and bridges, remain fully operational.
He also clarified that although the eruption coincided with heavy rains brought by Typhoon Inday, the discoloration observed in rivers was caused by storm runoff and not by volcanic debris.
Meanwhile, Reggie Baleda, chief of the Administrative Division of the La Carlota CDRRMO, said the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has placed the city under Red Alert for volcanic activity and Blue Alert due to the prevailing weather disturbance.
As a precaution, the city has prepositioned face masks and mobile water filtration units to ensure the availability of safe drinking water should conditions worsen.
Authorities urged residents, particularly those living near hazard-prone areas, to remain vigilant, prepare emergency “go bags,” and monitor official advisories from PHIVOLCS and the La Carlota City Public Information Office for real-time updates./PN
