(Eagle News) – Ashfall from the erupting Taal Volcano has reached wider areas in Southern Tagalog, Rizal and Metro Manila prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to issue a precautionary advisory for the affected population.
“As of this issuance, ashfall from the ongoing eruption of Taal has reportedly fallen in the following areas: Tanauan, Batangas; Escala, Tagaytay; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Dasmariñas, Bacoor, Silang, Cavite; Malolos, San Jose Del Monte, Meycauayan, Bulacan; Antipolo, Rizal; Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Marikina, Parañaque, Pasig, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Manila; Makati City and Taguig City,” Phivolcs said in its latest eruption update for Taal issued at 3:20 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13.
“Larger particles called lapilli measuring 2 to 64 millimeters in diameter have reportedly fallen in the following areas: Tanauan, Talisay, Batangas; Tagaytay City; Nuvali and Sta. Rosa, Laguna,” it said.
-Dangerous to health-
Phivolcs said that the fine ashfall and its sulfuric smell are “dangerous to health” as these not only cause irritation but breathing problems.
“Fine ashfall can cause irritation and breathing problems especially among the elderly and children and it is particularly dangerous to our health. In addition, areas of ashfall have also experienced sulfurous smell which can also cause irritation,” the Phivolcs bulletin said.
“Affected populations are advised to protect their mouths and noses using N95 grade facemasks or wet cloth or towel,” it said.
Phivolcs also advised motorists “to drive with extreme caution as wet ash can cause poor visibility and, when wet, can make roads slippery.”
The government agency, through the Philippine Seismic Network, has so far recorded a total of 52 volcanic earthquakes in the Taal region as of 12:49 a.m.
Twenty-six (26) of these earthquakes were felt with intensities ranging from Intensity 2 to 5 in Tagaytay City, Cabuyao, Laguna, Talisay, Alitagtag, Lemery and Bauan, Batangas, Phivolcs reported.
“Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magma intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity,” it said.
-Total evacuation reiterated-
Phivolcs “strongly reiterates the total evacuation of the Volcano Island and high-risk areas within the 14-kilometer radius from the Taal Main Crater.”
It advised areas in Luzon, particularly in the general north, “to guard against the effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall.”
So far, civil aviation authorities have advised aircraft to avoid airspace around Taal Volcano.
Phivolcs said “airborne ash and ballistic fragments from the eruption column pose hazards to aircraft.”
Alert level 4 is still in place in Taal Volcano, meaning “hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.”
In its 7:30 p.m. bulletin Sunday, Phivolcs noted that intensified “eruptive activity” at Taal Volcano’s main crater has generated a “tall 10-15 kilometer steam-laden tephra column with frequent volcanic lightning that rained wet ashfall on the general north as far as Quezon City.”
As of 9 p.m., 172 flights have been cancelled at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. NAIA has also suspended all flights to and from the airport because of Taal Volcano’s eruption.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal said that NAIA operations would remain suspended until Monday, advising passengers with flights not to proceed to the airport anymore until further notice.
