• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology yesterday issued a warning of potential lahar and sediment laden streamflows, which may occur along the Tamburong Creek in Barangay Biak Na Bato, Baji Baji Falls, and Talaptaan Creek in Brgy. Cabacungan, all in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, due to potentially heavy to intense rainfall brought about by the shearline and Tropical Depression Querubin.
Citing the advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), PHIVOLCS strongly recommended increased vigilance and readiness of communities in pre-determined zones of lahar and related hazards on Kanlaon volcano.
The Office of the Civil Defense earlier said that potential lahar hazard flows may endanger 644,487 residents in Bago City, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Valladolid, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Prolonged and heavy rainfall may generate post eruption lahar on major channels draining Kanlaon volcano by incorporating loose materials from remnant pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits of the December 9 explosive eruption, PHIVOLCS said.
It added that post eruption lahar similar to the June 5 lahar can affect those and communities downstream of these creeks.
PHIVOLCS also said the 13 areas are likely to be affected by the lahar flow from the estimated three million tons of ash deposits generated from the recent volcano eruption, which was three times greater than the one million tons of ash recorded during the eruption on June 3.
Over the past 24 hours, PHIVOLCS logged 26 volcanic quakes and the emission of 4,555 tons of sulfur dioxide.*
