- Mt. Kanlaon Threatens 60,000: Evacuation Plan in Place
- Canlaon City Faces Mass Evacuation as Mt. Kanlaon Awakens
- Mt. Kanlaon Volcano: Alert Level 3 Triggers Evacuation Preparations in Canlaon City
Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, Philippines – Over 60,000 residents of Canlaon City may face evacuation as Mt. Kanlaon volcano shows increasing signs of unrest. The city center lies only 11.5 km from the volcano's crater, well within the danger zone should a major eruption occur.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has placed Mt. Kanlaon under alert level 3, indicating a high level of volcanic activity. An increase to alert level 4 would signal an imminent hazardous eruption.
To prepare for this possibility, local authorities have developed "Plan Exodus," a strategy to systematically evacuate residents to shelters in nearby Vallehermoso town. The plan includes designated evacuation centers and provisions for transportation, temporary housing, and essential services.
A simulation exercise was conducted on Tuesday to test the plan. Representatives from each of Canlaon City's 10 evacuation camps participated in the drill.
As of December 28th, data showed 5,802 residents were already housed in these camps, with an additional 2,014 evacuees staying with friends and relatives. Authorities plan to prioritize evacuating those in the camps first.
Phivolcs reported that Mt. Kanlaon had nine ash emissions, 26 volcanic earthquakes, and emitted 7,079 tons of sulfur dioxide between December 30th and 31st.
Following an eruption on December 9th, the Negros Oriental provincial board declared a state of calamity on December 27th. This declaration allows the government to access emergency funds to assist evacuees.
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