• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported on Wednesday an increase in volcanic earthquakes recorded at Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island, compared to previous days, as of midnight of June 17.
The latest monitoring report of PHIVOLCS logged 28 volcanic quakes at Kanlaon Volcano on June 17, compared to five on Monday, and six on Sunday.
Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 3, as it continues to exhibit a high level of volcanic unrest.
The volcano exhibited continuous degassing, releasing 1,790 tons of sulfur dioxide in a day. It also generated a moderate plume rising 600 meters high, which drifted towards an eastern direction, PHIVOLCS said.
The volcano’s edifice remains inflated, it added.
With the start of the rainy season, the Office of Civil Defense and PHIVOLCS have warned residents living near Mt. Kanlaon to be vigilant against sudden lahar flow.
Donato Sermeno III, OCD Negros Island Region director, warned that heavy rains could wash down more ash fall and debris collected from previous eruptions of Mt. Kanlaon, triggering mud flow, or lahar.
Isolated rain showers will continue to prevail in Negros Island Region and other areas of the country due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms, according to thePhilippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Severe thunderstorms could also result in flash floods or landslides, the PAGASA advisory added.*
