Evac operations underway with Alert Level 3 over Taal
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 6:36 p.m.) — Authorities have convened to discuss the evacuation of areas near Taal Volcano after Phivolcs hoisted Alert Level 3 over the volcano.
Alert Level 3 indicates that a “hazardous eruption is possible within days to weeks.”
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the regional DRRMC in Calabarzon has already called an emergency meeting with the Cavite and Batangas local governments, provincial DRRMOs, and uniformed services.
"So far the communities on volcano island have already been evacuated previously," NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal told reporters in a text message.
"The advisory is to evacuate volcano island, and the high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel, Batangas... please be informed that contingency measures for this kind of emergency are already in place. The LGUs will lead evac activities assisted by RDRRMC member agencies."
In an update Thursday evening, the NDRRMC said that the Agoncillo local government unit started evacuation activities in barangays Banyaga and Bilibinwang at 5 p.m.
The Laurel LGU is also evacuating high-risk barangays Gulod, Boso-boso and Lakeshore Bugaan East.
An estimated 3,523 families or 14,495 individuals are due to be evacuated from the five barangays.
"Currently Batangas city is accepting the Agoncillo evacuees," Timbal said, adding that the numbers are only LGU estimates that "can be lower or higher."
This comes after state volcanologists raised Alert Level 3 over Taal Volcano due to magmatic unrest earlier Thursday afternoon.
In a separate statement earlier Thursday, Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP chief, said that the concerned police offices should start coordinating with local governments in need of assistance due to the volcano’s continuing unrest.
"We will make sure that no one approaches the said island," the general said, adding that the local police offices should also monitor developments on the volcano’s activity. "It is better that we be alert and ready to ensure the safety of everyone."
The Philippine Coast Guard also said it was coordinating with local authorities and has disseminated "contingency plans, movement routes, augmentation, and other matters" to its Southern Tagalog units.
Meanwhile, Commodore Tito Andal, Commander of Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog, has placed on standby and readiness all personnel and assets of the Coast Guard Station Batangas and Operational Control units.
"A contingency plan for this type of emergency is in place and this guides the actions of our disaster managers," Timbal also said.
— Franco Luna
Get updates as Phivolcs issues warnings over activity in Taal Volcano. (Main photo by Philstar.com/Rosette Adel)
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issues a notice reporting an increased and continuous degassing activity from Taal Volcano.
In its 6 p.m. advisory, Phivolcs says the sulfur dioxide emission from the main crater reached 9762 tonnes per day. This was the higher recorded this year.
Phivolcs adds that there was no smog or vog observed. — Rosette Adel
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology says Taal Volcano is still under Alert Level 1.
In an update on Wednesday, its says that the daily sulfur dioxide emissions (SO2) reached 2887 tonnes / day (06 October 2023).
Phivolcs also observes upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake. — Rosette Adel
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reports that Taal Volcano's daily sulfur dioxide emissions (SO2) reached 2887 tonnes.
It observes upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake as well as volcanic smog or vog.
The volcano's emissions are also 2400 meters tall. — Rosette Adel
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology releases time-lapse snapshots of degassing activity from the Taal Main Crater and volcanic smog or vog formation on Sunday.
These were taken from 5:45 a.m. to 11:42 a.m. by the Mt. Macolot, Cuenca, Batangas station (VTCU) IP Camera.
LOOK: Time-lapse snapshots of degassing activity from the Taal Main Crater and volcanic smog or vog formation taken from 05:45 AM to 11:42 AM today, 8 October 2023 by the Mt. Macolot, Cuenca, Batangas station (VTCU) IP Camera. pic.twitter.com/jp48R1IZQy
— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) October 8, 2023
— Rosette Adel
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology records daily sulfur dioxide emissions that reached 2730 tonnes / day (22 September 2023).
It also observes upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake and observed VOG.
Phivolcs adds that there is a ong-term deflation of the Taal Caldera; short-term inflation of the northern flanks of the Taal Volcano Island.
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