Philippines: Kanlaon Volcano - Dec 2024

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised Alert Level 3 over Mt. Kanlaon (located in Negros Island, around 520 km south of Manila) following an eruption that produced a voluminous plume that rose 3,000 meters above the vent on 09 December around 3pm local time. Alerts are on a scale from 1 to 5 with level 3 categorized as a "high level of volcanic unrest". Under Alert Level 3 there could be sustained increases in the levels of volcanic earthquakes and more frequent steam/ash explosions. Residents are now advised to stay clear of the 6 kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano. Previously, under Alert level 2, over 3,000 people were evacuated in Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Pontevedra, Moises Padilla, and Canlaon City. With the higher alert level, the number of affected is expected to increase with a wider coverage of the PDZ. The national government, local authorities have facilitated the evacuation of affected communities. Local partners in the area continuing to monitor the situation. (OCHA, 10 Dec 2024)

In the past 24 hours, Kanlaon volcano, located in Negros Island, central Philippines continued its activity characterised by continuous degassing with occasional ash emission, drifting westward, 31 volcanic earthquakes and a sulfur dioxide flux of 4,121 tonnes. According to the national authorities, more than 14,518 people have been displaced, most of them (12,368) have been evacuated in 29 evacuation centres located in the Western and Central Visayas region and almost 38,000 others have been affected over the aforementioned regions. The alert level stands at 3 (magmatic unrest), which means that a magmatic eruption has begun and may progress to further explosive eruptions. All local government units are advised to evacuate people living within the 6 km radius from the summit of the volcano. (ECHO, 11 Dec 2024)

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, in the past 24 hours, Kanlaon volcano, Negros Island, central Philippines recorded two volcanic earthquakes and a sulfur dioxide flux of more than 7,000 tonnes. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reports almost 18,000 displaced people, 15,334 evacuated in 27 evacuation centres, and 40,489 affected people across Western and Central Visayas regions. National authorities are providing help and assistance for those affected. The alert level stands at 3 (magmatic unrest). All local government units are advised to evacuate the 6 km radius from the summit of the volcano and must be prepared for additional evacuation if activity warrants. (ECHO, 12 Dec 2024)

As of 16 December, the NDRRMC recorded about 44,000 persons (10,800 families) affected in Negros Occidental (Region VI) and Negros Oriental (Region VII). Of these, 16,100 are currently displaced, including 13,700 who are currently being served in 27 evacuation centres. About USD 500K worth of assistance has been provided by the Philippine government to the affected population. (AHA Centre, 16 Dec 2024)