By Joseph Almer Pedrajas
BATANGAS — A part of a nine-kilometer river here went dry after it was blanketed by mud composed of volcanic ash and rain water.
Lolo 'Peping' shows the Pansipit river in its current state -- almost dried up -- in Taal, Batangas due to the eruption (Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN)
The waters of Pansipit River in Barangay Tatlong Maria in Taal town were drained Wednesday due to continuous eruptive activity of Taal Volcano, according to a resident.
“Kaninang umaga lang ‘yan. Kahapon mataas pa ang tubig, lagpas tao,” Lolo Peping, 74, told the Manila Bulletin.
Lolo Peping, the oldest fisher in the area, said they caught some 10 tubs of various live fish, including tilapia and milkfish, a day before the drying of the river happened.
“Hindi ganyan karami. Madalas hindi lalagpas sa sampung kilo ang nakukuha namin,” he explained.
The fisher believed that the fishes were from several fish cages nearby, which were damaged by constant earthquakes caused by the volcano’s activities.
“Yung mga papaya ko, gabi, talong, okra, sili, natabunan na rin,” he added.
Lolo Peping was teary eyed when he said that he no longer knows what would happen to the river after the volcano would stop its eruption. Pansipit River was part of his childhood.
Lolo 'Peping' shows the Pansipit river in its current state -- almost dried up -- in Taal, Batangas due to the eruption (Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN)
The waters of Pansipit River in Barangay Tatlong Maria in Taal town were drained Wednesday due to continuous eruptive activity of Taal Volcano, according to a resident.
“Kaninang umaga lang ‘yan. Kahapon mataas pa ang tubig, lagpas tao,” Lolo Peping, 74, told the Manila Bulletin.
Lolo Peping, the oldest fisher in the area, said they caught some 10 tubs of various live fish, including tilapia and milkfish, a day before the drying of the river happened.
“Hindi ganyan karami. Madalas hindi lalagpas sa sampung kilo ang nakukuha namin,” he explained.
The fisher believed that the fishes were from several fish cages nearby, which were damaged by constant earthquakes caused by the volcano’s activities.
“Yung mga papaya ko, gabi, talong, okra, sili, natabunan na rin,” he added.
Lolo Peping was teary eyed when he said that he no longer knows what would happen to the river after the volcano would stop its eruption. Pansipit River was part of his childhood.