OCD eyes Kanlaon PDZ expansion to 10 kilometers

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — If weather conditions worsen, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) might expand the permanent danger zone or PDZ for Kanlaon Volcano from six kilometers to 10 kilometers.

“We are keeping a close watch on the PAGASA weather reports,” OCD Western Visayas director Raul Fernandez said, referring to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. He said a weather disturbance might trigger a “massive evacuation.”

Mudflows were reported in some villages in La Castellana town and La Carlota City, both in Negros Occidental, due to rains in the past several days.

Mari Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recommended a six-kilometer-radius evacuation, but has not expanded it to 10 km.

Quintia warned that a prolonged and heavy rainfall may generate post-eruption lahars from the remnant of pyroclastic density current deposits due to the volcano’s eruption on Dec. 9.

Phivolcs said there are 111 barangays in 14 localities within the lahar hazard zone.

Extending the PDZ to 10 kilometers, Fernandez said, would ensure that all residents in the path of lahar can be evacuated on time.