Negros occidental: The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday urged heightened alert and preparedness in communities surrounding Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island as Tropical Storm Ada (international name Nokaen) brings occasional heavy rains that could trigger sediment flow or lahar.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) in Negros Occidental activated its response clusters after a blue alert status was hoisted in the province. Phivolcs emphasized the necessity for increased vigilance and readiness in communities located in pre-determined zones of lahar and related hazards around the volcano.

Alert Level 2 remains in effect at Kanlaon Volcano, indicating a moderate level of unrest with possible sudden phreatic eruptions. Communities in the cities of Bago, La Carlota, and San Carlos, as well as the municipalities of La Castellana and Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental situated along creeks and river channels, may be affected by lahars and sediment-laden streamflows and related flooding and siltation, as noted in the Phivolcs advisory.

Phivolcs warned that prolonged heavy rainfall could generate life-threatening lahars and sediment-laden streamflows on major channels draining the southern, western, and eastern slopes of Kanlaon Volcano. Post-eruption lahars can be generated by heavy rainfall, while non-eruption lahars could occur in areas recently exposed by landslides or weakened during the passage of Typhoon Tino in November last year.

To address the potential threats, the Negros Occidental PDRRMC Emergency Operations Center, under blue alert status, has advised concerned offices, agencies, and local DRRMCs to monitor their respective areas of responsibility closely and provide updates. The blue alert status requires the operation centers to be on standby, ready to respond to any incidents.

The provincial response clusters activated on Friday include camp coordination and management, provision of food and non-food items, logistics, search and rescue, health services, law and order, clearing and civil works, and education. These efforts are coordinated by various provincial offices, including the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial General Services Office, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Provincial Health Office, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Provincial Engineering Office, and the Department of Education.