Approximately 87,000 residents have been evacuated from central Philippines following the eruption of Mount Kanlaon on Negros Island. The eruption, which occurred on Monday, December 9, 2024, sent a towering ash plume 3,000 meters high into the atmosphere and unleashed pyroclastic flows down its slopes, prompting widespread precautionary measures. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the alert level to 3, signaling that a magmatic eruption is underway and that more explosive activity could follow.
Chief volcanologist Teresito Bacolcol reported that volcanic ashfall had reached areas as far as 200 kilometers away, including Antique province, impairing visibility and posing significant health risks. Evacuation efforts have been concentrated within a 6-kilometer radius of the volcano’s crater, covering towns such as La Castellana, where nearly 47,000 people are being relocated. As of Tuesday morning, over 6,000 residents had moved to evacuation centers, while others sought refuge with relatives or friends.
The eruption has also disrupted air travel, resulting in the cancellation of at least six domestic flights and one international flight bound for Singapore. Two local flights were diverted due to ash clouds. Authorities have closed schools and imposed nighttime curfews in heavily affected areas to ensure public safety.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public that government agencies are working to provide immediate assistance to displaced families. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has coordinated relief efforts, distributing essential supplies such as face masks, food, and hygiene kits, especially critical during the holiday season. Disaster response teams remain on alert, and PHIVOLCS continues to monitor Mount Kanlaon for signs of increased volcanic activity. – Filed by MENA Newswire News Desk