Mass Evacuations Underway as Mount Kanlaon Erupts, Threatening Thousands in Negros

The eruption of Mount Kanlaon on the central island of Negros has triggered a mass evacuation order for nearly 90,000 residents, as the volcano spewed a two-mile-high plume of ash, lava, and large rocks on Monday afternoon. The Philippine authorities raised the alert level to 3, indicating a significant risk of more explosive eruptions in the near future. Teresito Bacolcol, the chief of seismology at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, characterized the event as highly destructive, warning that the volcanic activity poses a lethal threat to life and property. "This can kill," Bacolcol emphasized, highlighting the potential for the eruption to incinerate everything in its path, including vegetation, buildings, and human life. In response to the eruption, officials established a danger zone extending six kilometers, or 3.7 miles, around the volcano. This precautionary measure affects approximately 47,000 people in the upland town of La Castellana, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense. To facilitate the evacuation, the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City has been designated as the primary shelter, with a capacity to accommodate up to 30,000 individuals. Additionally, local authorities have set up temporary shelters in eleven nearby villages to provide refuge for those displaced. The Philippines is home to about 100 volcanoes, with 24 of them currently classified as active, due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire—an area known for its seismic and volcanic activities. Mount Kanlaon itself has a long history of eruptions, having erupted over 40 times since records began in 1866. The most tragic of these events occurred in 1996, when three hikers lost their lives due to a sudden eruption. As the situation continues to develop, authorities are closely monitoring Mount Kanlaon's activity and are prepared to implement additional measures should the volcanic threat escalate. With the safety of residents at the forefront, rapid response efforts are underway to ensure the well-being of those affected by this natural disaster. While the immediate danger looms, the community is rallying together to provide support and assistance to evacuating families, demonstrating resilience in the face of nature’s fury.