BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Forced evacuation has been implemented again in three barangays in La Castellana, Negros Occidental amid heavy rain and lahar flow from Kanlaon Volcano on Tuesday.
Residents of Barangays Biak Na Bato, Masulog and Cabagnaan were evacuated.
Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan said the evacuees are staying at the La Castellana South Elementary School.
Mangilimutan said more than 1,400 families or 4,000 people remain in nine evacuation centers in the town.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the evacuees should remain in evacuation centers until advised by experts that it is safe for them to go home.
Authorities stopped cloud seeding operations in Negros Occidental as rain may cause lahar flow in areas affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation, clarified that natural rainfall was experienced in parts of Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
Sugar planters had requested for cloud seeding operations amid the damage caused by drought to their crops, to wash away volcanic debris and minimize acidity in the soil.