1,362 Kanlaon evacuees return home

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — More than a week after the phreatic eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, 427 families or 1,362 residents of Barangay Mansalanao in La Castellana, Negros Occidental have returned to their homes, according to the Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas.

The OCD reported yesterday that 4,785 people remain either in evacuation centers or with their relatives or friends in other areas.

Mayor Alme Rhummyla Mangilimutan said residents of Barangay Mansalanao fled their homes due to ashfall and sulfurous odor.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said less seismic activity was recorded in Kanlaon Volcano in the past two days.

Only one volcanic earthquake was monitored since midnight of Wednesday.

Sulfur dioxide emissions reached 2,792 tons per day.

Phivolcs said moderate plume emissions reached 300 meters and drifted southwest.

The edifice of the volcano is still inflated.

Kanlaon Volcano is still under Alert Level 2 or increased unrest.

Entry into the four-kilometer danger zone remains prohibited.

Kanlaon Volcano erupted on June 3, spewing plumes of up to five kilometers high. 

Lahar flow was monitored following heavy rainfall last week.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) deployed a payloader to help clear lahar-affected roads.

The PRC’s disaster management services said it is monitoring the situation amid the continuing threat of lahar due to rains in areas surrounding the volcano. – Rhodina Villanueva