Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, XXX) — Taal Volcano’s hazardous eruption, the highest level of unrest that state volcanologists have warned about for (days, weeks, months) is now underway.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has raised Alert Level 5 over the volcano in Batangas province, south of Manila.
Phivolcs has warned that Taal may emit columns of ash and spew out lava during what they call a “climactic eruption.” It also has warned that Taal may generate base surges — fast-moving superheated clouds of gas and ash which can suffocate people and burn everything in its path.
Alert Level 4, which signals that a hazardous eruption may happen in a matter of days, had been hoisted over Taal Volcano since January 12, when it suddenly spewed gas and ash in a steam-driven eruption. The volcano’s unrest quickly escalated to a magmatic eruption in a matter of hours.
Hazardous ash from the volcano rained down on Batangas and reached as far north as Quezon City, leading to a buying frenzy for N95 masks.
Hundreds of volcanic quakes shook parts of Batangas and Cavite, causing large cracks on roads and houses.
At least 40,000 people living in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite have been evacuated from their homes within 14 kilometers from the volcano’s crater.
Even before Taal’s explosion today, it had caused damage to at least half a billion pesos in agriculture. Its increased activity also negatively impacted tourism in nearby areas, particularly in resort town Tagaytay City.
The government has handed ₱7.5 million to farmers and another ₱3.5 million to fisherfolk affected by the eruption.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
