The number of people affected by the eruption of the Taal Volcano last weekend increased further, causing the number of evacuees to swell to evacuation centers.
According to the latest forecast of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), on Thursday, up to 7,237 people were affected by the eruption on Saturday as Phivolcs raised the volcano to Alert Level 3.
This is equivalent to 2,047 families so far from the Calabarzon region. It is said that 20 cities and municipalities are now affected, including 18 villages.
That includes 6,117 displaced persons from their homes:
in evacuation centers (4,165)
outside evacuation centers (1,952)
Although the NDRRMC does not yet have data on the damage it has caused to infrastructure and agriculture, the provincial government of Batangas, local government units, and the Department of Health have already released P1.23 million in financial assistance. These include:
- family food packs
- medicine
- surgical masks
- N95 masks
- face shield
- gloves
- cover all
- collapsible drinking water
Taal Volcano eruption affects over 7,000 – NDRRMC
In the past 24-hour period, the Taal Volcano Network did not detect any volcanic earthquake but low-level background tremor has persisted since March 29, 2022. Activity at the Main Crater was dominated by upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated plumes 1,500 meters tall that drifted southwest.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 6,405 tonnes/day on 30 March 2022. Temperature highs of 63.7°C were last measured from the Main Crater Lake on 25 February 2022. Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR monitoring, Taal Volcano Island and the Taal region has begun deflating in October 2021.
The Alert Level 3 (Magmatic Unrest) prevails over Taal Volcano. This means that there is a magmatic intrusion at the Main Crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions.
DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga, Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East, Laurel, Batangas Province be evacuated due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur.
The public is reminded that the entire Taal Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel must be prohibited.
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