MANILA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Saturday in the central Philippines has affected around 24,000 families, the country's Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Monday.
According to OCD, about 94,000 individuals have been affected by ash emissions from the "moderately explosive eruption" of Mount Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island. The event generated a plume that rose 5 km to 6 km above the crater.
Eight separate ash emission episodes at Kanlaon were observed on Sunday, while at least five episodes have been reported on Monday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
As of Monday, Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2, with Level 5 as the highest on the scale, and PHIVOLCS said another explosive eruption is possible. Communities near Mount Kanlaon remain at risk of ashfall, volcanic gases, pyroclastic density currents, and ballistic projectiles should explosive eruptions recur.
PHIVOLCS suggested that the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone must remain evacuated, and communities within 6 km of the summit should stay vigilant and prepared in case the volcano is raised to Alert Level 3. ■
