The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday, Nov. 3, warned that prolonged and heavy rains from Severe Tropical Storm “Tino” may trigger lahars and sediment-laden streamflows around Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island, which remains under Alert Level 2.
In its Lahar Advisory issued at 11:30 a.m., Phivolcs said the weather disturbance could dump heavy to intense rainfall over several parts of Central Philippines, including Negros Island, in the coming days.
“Based on the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 6 issued at 11:00 a.m. today, Severe Tropical Storm ‘Tino’ will potentially bring heavy to intense rainfall over several areas of Central Philippines including Negros Island in the coming days,” Phivolcs stated.
“This can generate volcanic sediment flows or lahars, muddy streamflows or muddy run-off in rivers and drainage areas on Kanlaon Volcano, which is currently at Alert Level 2.”
The agency strongly urged communities to maintain vigilance and readiness, especially those located in pre-determined lahar-prone areas surrounding the volcano.
According to Phivolcs, prolonged and heavy rainfall may produce channel-confined post-eruption lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along major channels draining the southern and western slopes of Kanlaon Volcano.
Such could be generated by rainwater eroding loose materials from the Oct. 24 explosive eruption’s pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits and from recent ash emission events, it added.
“In particular, potentially hot lahars and sediment-laden streamflows may occur along the Tamburong/Ibid Creek in Biak-na-Bato and Baji-Baji Falls and Talaptapan Creek in Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental,” Phivolcs said.
“These drainages are headed on gullies covered by recent PDC deposits.”
Communities along and downstream of these channels were advised to prepare for possible evacuation and to avoid traversing streams or rivers that may be affected by muddy flows, even those farther downslope of the volcano.
Phivolcs reiterated that Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, meaning the volcano is in a state of increasing unrest and may continue to exhibit activity in the coming days.