Kanlaon at risk of lahars as TD Verbena brings heavy rainfall — Phivolcs
PAGASA
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday, Nov. 24, issued a lahar advisory for Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island, warning that heavy rainfall from Tropical Depression Verbena may trigger dangerous sediment flows and lahars on its slopes.
Citing the 11 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 3 and Weather Advisory No. 18 from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Phivolcs said Tropical Depression Verbena, together with the shear line, is expected to bring heavy to intense rainfall over parts of Negros Island and other areas in the central Philippines in the coming days.
The agency said prolonged heavy rains may generate life-threatening lahars along major channels draining the southern, western, and eastern slopes of Kanlaon, which remains under Alert Level 2.
Post-eruption lahars could occur as rainfall erodes loose material from the Oct. 24 explosive eruption and recent ashfall.
Non-eruption lahars are also possible, particularly in areas weakened by landslides or Typhoon Tino earlier this month.
These unstable slopes could fail and send debris into rivers that have previously produced destructive flows downstream.
Phivolcs said communities in Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, as well as Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, may be affected along rivers and creeks including Ibid, Cotcot, Talaptapan, Malaiba, Panubigan, Buhangin–Indurayan, Najalin, Inyawan, Maragandang, Panun-an, Intiguiwan, Camansi, Maao, Tokon-tokon, Masulog, Binalbagan, Taco, and Linothangan.
Residents downstream of these channels are also at risk.
Phivolcs urged residents and local government units to monitor rainfall conditions, avoid crossing affected streams, and prepare for possible evacuation.
It added that lahars from Kanlaon, shown during Typhoon Tino to carry large boulders and gravel, can threaten communities through impact, inundation, burial, and washout.