Ashfall reached parts of Negros on Saturday afternoon after Kanlaon Volcano’s moderately explosive eruption, while residents in several communities reported rumbling and booming sounds, ground shaking, and sulfur odor, according to initial reports to disaster authorities.
The Office of Civil Defense–Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) said ashfall and sulfur odor were reported in Sitio Gintubdan, Barangay Ara-al, in La Carlota City; as well as in Barangays Igmayaan and Kumaliskis in Don Salvador Benedicto.
In Bago City, reports included a visible volcanic cloud, booming sounds, and ground shaking, although no ashfall or sulfur odor was reported.
Sulfur odor was reported in the upper portions of Barangay Codcod in San Carlos City, where no ashfall was recorded.
Rumbling sounds were also reported in La Carlota City, OCD said.
The reports were still being validated by the OCD-NIR in coordination with the concerned local government units.
Kanlaon erupted at 12:46 p.m. on October 10, in an event that lasted about two minutes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
The eruption sent a volcanic plume approximately five to six kilometers above the summit crater before it drifted north-northeast, based on PHIVOLCS monitoring cameras.
Alert Level 2 remains in effect, and entry into the volcano’s four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited.
The OCD-NIR said it was coordinating with local governments and partner agencies to assess the situation and determine whether further response measures were needed.
Residents were urged to follow official PHIVOLCS advisories, take precautions against volcanic hazards, and heed instructions from local authorities.
The public was also reminded to rely on verified government sources for updates.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.