Over 87,000 people had to leave their homes because Mount Kanlaon’s eruption was dangerous to their health and made it difficult to get around.
- Because of the health and safety worries caused by Mount Kanlaon’s eruption, almost 87,000 people had to leave their homes.
- The government is monitoring the volcano’s activity to assist relocated families during the holidays.
A short eruption of Mount Kanlaon in the central Philippines forced about 87,000 people to leave their homes. The explosion sent up a huge cloud of ash and superheated gas into the air.
The explosion caused no injuries, but officials raised the warning level to indicate more explosive activity. Volcanic ash fell over a large area, including the province of Antique, making it difficult to see and putting people’s health at risk.
The ash cloud caused at least six delays and changes for domestic planes. Many residents of the towns and villages closest to the volcano, such as La Castellana in Negros Occidental, were forced to evacuate due to a 6-kilometer danger zone, resulting in nearly 47,000 people leaving.
By Tuesday morning, more than 6,000 people had moved to evacuation centers, and others had gone to stay with family or friends.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the populace that the government was prepared to assist those compelled to leave their homes.
Given the potential for harmful gases, the government was closely monitoring the air quality to prepare for the potential need for additional evacuations.
As the holidays were coming up, disaster response teams quickly set up escape centers and gave out face masks, food, and cleaning packs.
The explosion lasted almost four minutes and sent out a pyroclastic density current that could burn anything in its way.
Volcanologists noted that the volcano had previously erupted without warning, demonstrating its unpredictable nature.
There was a strong probability that a magmatic explosion had begun when the warning level reached the third highest point on a scale that extended from lowest to highest.
Kanlaon, which is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, has erupted on several occasions in the past. The most recent big event happened in June.
As a result of the Philippines’ location inside the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the country is vulnerable to natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and typhoon activity. Therefore, the people living there must prepare for these events.
FAQ
What made people leave the area around Mount Kanlaon?
A recent explosion sent ash and hot gases into the air, making people worried about their safety.
How many people were forced to leave the places that were affected?
People from about 87,000 towns and villages near Mount Kanlaon had to leave because of the explosion and its dangers.
“What steps is the government taking to help people who have to evacuate?”
The government is assisting by establishing escape centers, providing food and cleaning kits, and monitoring the air quality to ensure everyone’s safety.
What effect did the volcano have on getting around?
Because the volcanic ash made it difficult to see in the area, the eruption messed up air travel and caused flights to be canceled or diverted.
How does Mount Kanlaon’s activity affect the people who live nearby?
The volcano’s blasts pose big risks, so people need to be ready for disasters and know what to do to keep themselves safe.