Ash fall blankets Batangas, Metro Manila and the rest of Calabarzon
Published Jan 13, 2020 12:00 am
By Joseph Almer Pedrajas
Ash fall blanketed Metro Manila, Batangas, and the rest of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) early Monday brought about by the eruption of Taal Volcano.
Taal Volcano is spewing thick smoke due to volcanic eruption. January 12, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Emergency Alerts / MANILA BULLETIN)
Motorists experienced zero visibility, particularly upon approaching Tanuan town from Santo Tomas, as dark-gray dusts filled the air. There was also no electricity.
The stretch of General Malvar Avenue turned into a “ghost town” as residents were advised to stay indoors. Only a few cars and emergency vehicles of police and the military transporting evacuees braved the ash fall and “black rain.”
The route to Agoncillo was also slippery and motorists would have to drive at slow speed to avoid wiggling.
A series of tremors brought about by the eruption of Taal Volcano on Sunday afternoon caused several trees to be uprooted. Ashes that turned into mud after a downpour also rendered the roads slippery.
“Lumikas na po kami kasi nakakakita na kami ng bitak ng lupa sa bahay namin,” Emilyn Marqueses, 38, told the Manila Bulletin early Monday morning. (We moved out of our house when we saw a crack.)
“Umuulan na rin ng putik kasi humalo na yung abo sa ulan. Bago kami lumikas, mga sakong na yung taas ng putik,” added Marqueses, who lives in Zone 5, Talisay. (It was raining mud as ash combined with rain. Before we evacuated, the mud was already up to our ankles.)
Marqueses was among the 265 evacuees who spent the night at the two-storey city evacuation center of Santo Tomas, Batangas, some 15-km. away from their house. This came as residents on 14-km. radius of Taal Volcano were immediately evacuated
Elmer Centeno, chief of Santo Tomas Disaster Risk Reduction Management, said face masks were distributed to evacuees for their protection. He is appealing for food, water, and sleeping mats for the evacuees.
The Filipino “bayanihan” spirit prevailed as the evacuation was being implemented. Concerned citizens and other government personnel, including the Bureau of Fire Protection, were offering free car wash in various areas.
“Kawanggawa lang. Sino sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kundi tayo lang,” a resident said.
Read more: Taal alert level 4 up after phreatic eruption, Police forces in Calabarzon mobilized for Taal Volcano eruption
Taal Volcano is spewing thick smoke due to volcanic eruption. January 12, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Emergency Alerts / MANILA BULLETIN)
Motorists experienced zero visibility, particularly upon approaching Tanuan town from Santo Tomas, as dark-gray dusts filled the air. There was also no electricity.
The stretch of General Malvar Avenue turned into a “ghost town” as residents were advised to stay indoors. Only a few cars and emergency vehicles of police and the military transporting evacuees braved the ash fall and “black rain.”
The route to Agoncillo was also slippery and motorists would have to drive at slow speed to avoid wiggling.
A series of tremors brought about by the eruption of Taal Volcano on Sunday afternoon caused several trees to be uprooted. Ashes that turned into mud after a downpour also rendered the roads slippery.
“Lumikas na po kami kasi nakakakita na kami ng bitak ng lupa sa bahay namin,” Emilyn Marqueses, 38, told the Manila Bulletin early Monday morning. (We moved out of our house when we saw a crack.)
“Umuulan na rin ng putik kasi humalo na yung abo sa ulan. Bago kami lumikas, mga sakong na yung taas ng putik,” added Marqueses, who lives in Zone 5, Talisay. (It was raining mud as ash combined with rain. Before we evacuated, the mud was already up to our ankles.)
Marqueses was among the 265 evacuees who spent the night at the two-storey city evacuation center of Santo Tomas, Batangas, some 15-km. away from their house. This came as residents on 14-km. radius of Taal Volcano were immediately evacuated
Elmer Centeno, chief of Santo Tomas Disaster Risk Reduction Management, said face masks were distributed to evacuees for their protection. He is appealing for food, water, and sleeping mats for the evacuees.
The Filipino “bayanihan” spirit prevailed as the evacuation was being implemented. Concerned citizens and other government personnel, including the Bureau of Fire Protection, were offering free car wash in various areas.
“Kawanggawa lang. Sino sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kundi tayo lang,” a resident said.
Read more: Taal alert level 4 up after phreatic eruption, Police forces in Calabarzon mobilized for Taal Volcano eruption