BACOLOD CITY – Ten barangays and five local government units in Negros Occidental experienced ashfall and reported sulfuric odor following a short-lived, moderately explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Friday night, Oct. 24.

The Bago City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) reported ashfall and sulfuric smell in several areas of Barangays Mailum, Ma-ao, Ilijan, Abuanan, and Bacong.

Mayor Greg Gasataya announced that ashfall was observed in Barangays Punta Taytay and Sum-ag here, citing a report from the Bacolod CDRRMO.

Ashfall, sulfuric odor, and ground shaking were reported in Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City, and ashfall and sulfuric smell in Upper Codcod, Barangay Codcod, San Carlos City, based on a report from the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR).

Ashfall was reported in Barangay Zamora, Pontevedra town. Sulfurous fumes were strongly experienced in most of this barangay, Barangay Cabagnaan, La Castellana town, and Barangays Linothangan, Malaiba, and Pula, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The volcano erupted at 8:05 p.m., following a series of ash emission the past weeks while under Alert Level 2.

The OCD-NIR reported that a booming sound was recorded in Barangay Pula, Canlaon City, followed by a tall ash plume that reached 2,000 meters high that drifted northeast.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and affected local government units  are on standby for possible evacuation in case the situation escalates.

Residents, particularly in upland barangays, were advised to stay indoors, close doors and windows, and use masks or damp cloth to avoid inhaling ash particles.