Itinaas ng Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) sa Level 3 ang alert status ng Taal Volcano matapos ito makabuo ng isang kilometrong taas ng phreatomagmatic plume nitong Huwebes Hulyo 1.
Mula sa Alert Level 2, itinaas na ito ng ahensya sa Level 3 ang alert status ng bulkan matapos magbuga ng usok kasabay ng mga pagyanig nito.
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“In view of the above, DOST-PHIVOLCS is now raising the alert status of Taal from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3. This means that there is magmatic intrusion at the Main Crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions,” ayon sa volcano bulletin ng Phivolcs.
Inirekomenda ng ahensya na lumikas na ang mga nasa Taal Volcano Island at high-risk na barangay ng Agoncillo at Laurel sa Batangas dahil sa posibleng hazard ng pyroclastic density currents at volcanic tsunami.
“The public is reminded that the entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel is prohibited,” ayon sa Phivolcs.
“In addition, communities around the Taal Lake shore are advised to take precautionary measures and be vigilant of possible lakewater disturbances related to the ongoing unrest,” babala ng ahensya.
Kalaunan, nagkaroon ng mass evacuation sa higit 14,000 na residente sa high-risk barangay ng Agoncillo at bayan ng Laurel sa Batangas.
Ayon kay Mark Timbal, spokesman ng Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), nagsimula ang paglilikas sa mga tao alas-5 ng tapos nitong Huwebes,Hulyo 1, inuna nila ang mga residente ng Bgy. Banyaga at Bilibinwang ng Agoncillo, Batangas dahil sila ang malapit sa bulkan.
Inilikas din nila ang mga residente sa Bgy. Gulod, Boso-boso at Lakeshore Bugaan East ng Laurel, Batangas.
“We are closely coordinating the situation in coordination with all relevant agencies. Our officials in Cavite and Batangas already called an emergency meeting with the uniformed services for the evacuation,” ayon kay Timbal.
“A contingency plan for this type of emergency is in place and this guides the actions of our disaster managers,” dagdag pa niya.
Ayon sa Facebook post ni Gov. Jonvic Remulla, may naka standby na antigen test kits sa mga evacuation areas.
“The province of Cavite is in close coordination with the officials of the LGU’s surrounding Taal. We have enough food stocks to last for 5 days. Over 100 vehicles are being mobilized to help with the evacuation. Antigen test kits are also on standby for the evacuation areas.” aniya.
Patuloy pa rin binabantayan ng Phivolcs ang lagay ng Bulkang Taal.
