92 evacuated in Negros town as rains trigger Kanlaon lahar flow

BACOLOD CITY — Heavy rains sent mud and volcanic debris cascading down Ibid Creek in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of 92 residents from 27 families in a nearby high-risk area.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reported that the lahar flow occurred at around 5:30 p.m. in Sitio Tamburong, Barangay Biak-na-Bato, after the creek overflowed amid the downpour.

Village Councilor Allan Tomaquin immediately coordinated the preemptive evacuation of residents in high-risk areas, according to La Castellana Public Information Officer Remuel Lajo.

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The evacuees included vulnerable residents such as senior citizens, pregnant women, and a lactating mother, the PRC Negros Occidental-Bacolod City Chapter reported.

Local RC143 volunteers were alerted and deployed to the area, where they provided first aid and Psychological First Aid to displaced residents, the PRC said.

Internet connectivity in the area remained weak, but power lines and major road networks were still operational and passable. The PRC said the lahar flow had weakened by Tuesday night.

Emergency response units continued to monitor conditions along Ibid Creek and in nearby communities surrounding Kanlaon Volcano, amid the possibility of further lahar flows, the PRC said./coa