MANILA, Philippines — Around 200 residents of Taal Volcano Island were evacuated from their homes yesterday as the volcano showed signs of activity again.
“This order is for precautionary measure done in line with recent activities of the volcano, but Taal is not acting up,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) clarified.
The Philippine Coast Guard said police and Bureau of Fire Protection personnel as well as municipal disaster response teams helped the PCG evacuate residents in danger zones in Talisay, Batangas.
The NDRRMC said it is still gathering details on evacuation efforts from its provincial offices and local disaster risk reduction units.
Science Undersecretary and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) officer-in-charge Renato Solidum said there is no indication of a stronger eruption similar to the Jan. 12, 2020 event that displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
Phivolcs warned the public of “increased possibilities” of phreatic or steam-driven eruption, hazardous volcanic gas and minor ashfall from the main crater lake.
Taal Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone, particularly the main crater lake and Daang Kastila fissure.
‘Tremors not normal’
Phivolcs said 98 tremors were recorded around the volcano in the past 24 hours. It also observed a weak emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose five meters high.
Solidum said the number of tremors is “not normal.”
He said hydrothermal activity and not magma was causing the increase in seismic events, acidity and temperature in the main crater.
“It is important to note though that the threat of phreatic eruption or steam-driven explosion and gas emissions has increased. People should not enter the whole of Taal Volcano Island,” Solidum told The STAR.
A phreatomagmatic eruption on Jan. 12 last year displaced 376,327 people. Ashfall reached as far as Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon and Ilocos.
Damage to agriculture was placed at P3.2 billion in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite.
Solidum said people returned on Volcano Island for livelihood, mainly fishing.
Alert Level 1
Phivolcs said Alert Level 1 remains in effect at Taal, which means it is in abnormal condition.
He said last year’s eruption started with small explosions that induced magma to rise and interact with ground water.
Solidum did not discount the possibility of another eruption of Taal as it is an active volcano. – Robertzon Ramirez