‘Blue Alert’ Raised in Negros Occidental Over Mt. Kanlaon Explosion

The powerful Mt. Kanlaon, an active volcano located on Negros Island, erupted for six intense minutes at 6:51 PM on Monday. Consequently, PHIVOLCS raised the Alert Level from Alert Level 1 (abnormal) to Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) at 8:00 PM.

Shortly after the announcement, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) of Negros Occidental took immediate action by placing the province under a "Blue Alert."

"This means there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to further explosive eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption," PHIVOLCS said.

According to PHILVOLCS, a significant amount of coarse ashfall and sulfurous odors in communities on the volcano's western slopes have been recorded.

In the province of Negros Occidental, situated near Mt. Kanlaon, are the municipal government of La Castellana and the city of La Carlota. These units are home to communities residing at the base of the volcano. Other villages near the volcano are San Carlos and Bago cities, and the towns of Moises Padilla and Murcia. Meanwhile, evacuation was ordered in four barangays: Masulog, Pula, Lumapao, and Malaiba.