The eruption of Kanlaon Volcano has significantly impacted livestock, a primary livelihood for farmers at the volcano’s foothills, where a weekly livestock market operates.
The Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reports that damage to the agriculture sector has already reached P32.83 million.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6 has announced the possible expansion of the 6-kilometer radius permanent danger zone around Kanlaon Volcano to 10 kilometers due to the threat of lahar flow.
Potential hazards include sudden explosions, lava flow, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, rockfall, and lahar during heavy rainfall.
PHIVOLCS continues to record volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon, with 15 recorded in the past 24 hours, and the volcano has emitted 7,198 tons of sulfur dioxide.
Resident volcanologist Mari-Andylene Quintia of the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory stated that continuous rain is causing lahar in many areas and could trigger phreatic eruptions as rainwater enters the volcano.
Mark Steven Capunong, SK Chairman of Brgy. Mailom, Bago City, one of the areas heavily affected by ashfall, shared that continued rain could affect their water supply as they rely on springs.