Lahar seen as southwest monsoon dumps rain over Kanlaon Volcano

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Phivolcs advises communities near Kanlaon Volcano to regularly monitor weather conditions as Negros Island will continue to have rain from the southwest monsoon in the coming months

MANILA, Philippines – Rain from the southwest monsoon or habagat mixed with volcanic material from Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island, causing lahar flows on Friday, June 6.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in an advisory on Friday evening that moderate to heavy rainfall from late afternoon to early evening led to “channel-confined volcanic sediment flows or lahars on the southern and southwestern slopes” of Kanlaon.

“Cohesive and cement-like lahars occurred along the Buhangin River and beneath Hacienda 92 Bridge in Barangay Sag-ang and Ibid Creek in Barangay Biaknabato, La Castellana, Negros Occidental,” Phivolcs said.

The agency noted that the All-Weather Station of the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, recorded 45.5 millimeters of rain in a 3.5-hour period.

“Higher rainfall volumes likely occurred around the summit area of the volcano,” added Phivolcs.

In the coming months, Negros Island will continue to have rain from the southwest monsoon, since it is on the western side of the Philippines. Kanlaon straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

Phivolcs warned the public that rain could “generate lahars, muddy streamflows, or muddy runoff in the rivers draining the southern Kanlaon edifice,” threatening nearby communities.

The agency advised these communities to regularly monitor weather conditions, brace for potential lahar flows during periods of heavy rain, avoid rivers downstream of the volcano, and follow evacuation orders given by authorities.

Kanlaon has been under Alert Level 3 since December 9, 2024, when an explosive eruption occurred. It is one of the Philippines’ two dozen active volcanoes. – Rappler.com