Taal's fury
1977 was the last time Taal volcano erupted. The eruption, called a "phreatic" eruption, was not very strong, far from the Taal eruption this January 2020. The areas around the lake have been evacuated. The ash is just too thick for them to hang around. The province of Batangas is now under a state of calamity. Many towns have virtually turned into gray, ghost towns. I listened to the radio to find out what was going on and my heart went out to all the animals that had to be left behind because their owners just couldn't bring them. The images in my head of dogs and cats with nothing to eat or drink was something I couldn't bear. If left behind, they would surely die. The MMDA K-9 Corps is looking for volunteers to go back for these animals and crate them to be brought to a shelter or foster home. I sure hope many heed their call.
Taal's ashes have reached Metro Manila and as far as Clark International airport. NAIA was partially closed to hose down the runways. Las Piñas bore the brunt of the ash fall. Residents also complained of the "smell", which is sulfur. Citizens rushed to buy face masks, whether the N95 type or the ordinary face mask. Stocks of practically all drugstores were quickly depleted. Even medical supply stores were not spared. Of course, some profiteered from the situation, raising the price of masks. The DTI has issued a warning against doing so. I do hope they catch them. Carwash stalls were also full of car owners who just could not bear to have their cars covered in ashes. In the last news from Taal, the volcano has already released a lava fountain. PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring the situation as Taal goes through its paces.
Such are the hazards of living close to a volcano. Development in Tagaytay has been extensive in the last decade as more and more people have flocked to the summer capital. Now resorts are empty. Houses are covered in ash. What was a summer resort has turned into a ghost town. Some adventurous people still make their way to see the erupting volcano. Maybe something for their Instagram accounts. In the meantime, the Coast Guard is playing a cat-and-mouse game with the local fishers of Taal Lake, where they tend to their tilapia pens. They would rather suffer the consequences than lose their heads of fish. Initial findings seem to show the fish survived the ash fall. Perhaps they should harvest them while they can and salvage whatever they can.
Some residents and business owners have decided to go back to their respective places and start cleaning. Taal may be in a lull but PHIVOLCS has warned that it doesn't mean it will not erupt again. By comparison, the Pinatubo eruption was way worse, called the second-largest volcanic eruption of the century. Being in the "ring of fire" makes these eruptions commonplace in the Philippines. We just have to be ready for them in any way we can.
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