Lahar threat from Kanlaon forces evacuations

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — Heavy rains triggered lahar flows along the slopes of Kanlaon Volcano on Tuesday, prompting 167 residents in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental to preemptively flee their homes, an Office of Civil Defense (OCD) official said Wednesday.

The OCD had asked the Negros Occidental provincial government to assist with a drone survey of areas surrounding the volcano to determine whether accumulated volcanic debris has caused artificial damming, OCD Negros Island Region Director Donato Sermeno III said in an interview.

Sermeno warned that the collapse of possible temporary debris blockages under mounting water pressure could unleash deadly flash floods.

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READ: 92 evacuated in Negros town as rains trigger Kanlaon lahar flow

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He compared the potential threat to disasters in Nepal, where landslides can block riverways and form fragile, temporary dams. When these natural dams eventually collapse, they can release catastrophic flash floods that may sweep through downstream communities with little to no warning.

Drone survey

The drone survey is needed to identify potential blockages and allow authorities to put preemptive measures in place, Sermeno said.

The immediate flooding threat prompted 24 families, or 71 people, to evacuate from Barangays Panubigan and Masulog in Canlaon City.

In neighboring La Castellana, heavy rains sent volcanic debris down Ibid Creek in Sitio Tamburong, Barangay Biak-na-Bato, prompting 27 families, or 96 people, to evacuate, Mayor Añejo Nicor said.

While most residents began returning home on Wednesday, Sermeno urged communities in lahar-prone areas to remain vigilant and strictly follow preemptive evacuation orders to ensure their safety. /cb